The raised beds are ready and prepared for each year group to start planning and plant up. The children are being encouraged to use organic, no dig gardening techniques. All children will be involved in growing edibles. We have linked with a local village gardening group who have already gifted some herb plants for the children to start them off. They are also keen to offer advice and are planning a site visit soon.
On the last Saturday in August, the raised beds project was completed by some of our wonderful parents who have realised our plan of having a raised bed for every year group in school. We are now looking forward to growing our own vegetables and linking it to our curriculum and healthy living topic through Eco schools during 2025!
Well done Jenny for your hard work! Please do share pictures of your project completed! and also complete the impact survey at your earliest convenience. I am planning to come to your site for a visit soon to check on your progress. See you soon!
At last the hard-core materials have arrived on site to build the raised beds project. Exciting times!
We have really suffered with the weather - constant rain has meant a very waterlogged area! However our plans are looking great with the raised beds design showing how each Year group will have an area to grow their own plants and have super outdoor lessons.
We will be starting a Forest Schools after school club with a recently qualified outdoor specialist in the summer term. We have also had a wooden story telling chair and wood seating ready for our outdoor willow classroom. Lots of outdoor learning and experiences for all the children. Our plans have involved talented parents for plans and project managing, local companies for sourcing materials and our wider community for gardening support and advice. The funding has really supported our outdoor area development.
We have really suffered with the weather - constant rain has meant a very waterlogged area! However our plans are looking great with the raised beds design showing how each Year group will have an area to grow their own plants and have super outdoor lessons.
We will be starting a Forest Schools after school club with a recently qualified outdoor specialist in the summer term. We have also had a wooden story telling chair and wood seating ready for our outdoor willow classroom. Lots of outdoor learning and experiences for all the children.
Hello team! Time to post some pictures/videos from your projects! Share with us what you have been up to. Do join our Facebook group too to have access to resources and for any questions you may have!
Team meeting.
Well done for completing the challenge, please remember to add a picture of your team nd add your bank details too. Looking forward to working with your community!
Action plan:
Timeline: The fence has just been completed and now the area is ready for the next stage - planning and making the raised beds area and preparing for planting.
Budget: The priority will be raised beds, composting area and water butts installed. Storage space for equipment too.
Impact: The whole school will benefit. All children will participate in outdoor learning in the area from Forest Schools, gardening club, links to curriculum with History and local Georgraphy and science sessions. We hope to encourage a wide range of volunteers as well as staff to deliver sessions.
Location: The permissions have all been granted by the Head and Trustees.
Additional questions
Please answer the questions below as much as you can.
Growing Space will review the information you provide before your kickstart call.
This will help save time and get you started straight on your project once you receive your seed funding!
Age group of those involved in the project: children aged 5 to 11 and adult supervisors.
Number of children/adults the project will benefit: approx 395 children and over 40 members of staff plus volunteers
Future activities: describe the activities you aim to run in the future with your Growing Space (for example: gardening, forest school, herb tasting with parents/neighbours/extended families of children/elderly people, etc.): garden club, raised beds for each year group to grow their own food, forest school sessions, outdoor lessons for all areas of the curriculum particularly science, after school club sessions, volunteers clubs.
Material/trees: what trees/structure(s) or features do you already have in site? (if none, just answer 'none'): willow, evergreen hedges, other trees: birch, hazel, apple, cherry.
Does your site have water access? It gets wet quickly
Do you want to install a water butt (not obligatory) yes - two on nearest building
Please confirm in one sentence that you have permission from a manager or landlord (of the building or head of a school (as necessary) saying that they are happy to make the improvement of their outdoor space and let you lead the project Yes we have permission
What is the exact measurement/size of the proposed space for your My Mini Growing Space? approx 500m2
Please upload a few pictures of the site and from different angles (ideally 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon, when the sun is out)"
What time of the day does the space get the most sun and for how long? Most of the day - but some shade is cast by willow trees
That’s all for now!
We are excited to get you started!
Hello, congratulations on kickstarting your application. Please do complete all steps before the 30 days to avoid your application being rejected. You now need 3 more people to add to your team. Submit a picture of your site (when sun is out), plus a picture of your team. and your action plan. Let us know if you need any support!
