Background

Pupils of Ward Green are working towards their Barnsley Learning Network "First Steps Award" with Barnsley YMCA.  One of the suggested challenges by staff and pupils for Year 3 was to renovate 2 unused plots of land that back onto the Infant building.  (Ward Green is a split site with Year 3 still based at the Infants due to a new build at the Juniors).  This also linked in with their topic "The Environment" and with our school aims of Healthy eating and lifestyle.

The project was initially set-up as a challenge for Year 3 children to work on just over the Spring and Summer term for 2005.  However, as the project developed, we were amazed with the results and the huge amounts of interest, not just from the rest of the school, but parents, governors and outside agencies, therefore it was decided to keep the project ongoing.  Another important reason to keep the project on-going is the huge benefits that growing vegetables can offer to children, especially in today's society were more and more unaware of where their food comes from and are unable to recognise simple vegetables.  Also due to the impact of "fast food/junk food", more children are being diagnosed as being clinically obese every year.

Costs

The cost for this project was and is very low.  Approximately 10 hand trowels and gloves were bought for a pound each from the school budget.  Soil sieves and over tools were donated by staff or parents.  2 bags of compost for potting were £5 each.  Top soil was donated by a local supplier.  Other costs include seeds and plastic pots.  A total of £50 has been spent to start the project.