Quinton Primary School sowing the seeds of success

Green fingered youngsters have been getting involved in a kitchen garden project thanks to funding from Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Vision for Stour Group.

After receiving £5,000 the school has been able to develop part of its ground into an outdoor learning zone.  The project started with help from parents and one of the teachers and the children got involved at break and lunchtimes. 

Now all the children from 4 to 11 years old help and even the older children have been inspired to carry out weeding and pruning in other parts of the school.

The produce being grown in the garden is being used in the school kitchen and served at lunchtimes and also used for science lessons to study how plants grow.

David Skelcher, Headteacher at Quinton Primary School says: “We've put a lot of hard work into this project and it is very exciting for the children's learning.  Growing your own is a great way to make a difference to the environment. The children have been very proud to display what they have grown around the school – broccoli the size of footballs and the biggest cabbage leaves I've ever seen!

“Class 1 children* have even grown ingredients and made soup in the school kitchen, which they all had a chance to taste and it was superb!

“This is a great initiative as well as being educational helping to teach children the advantages of healthy eating and at the same time enjoying the recreation benefits of gardening."

The variety of produce being grown includes; radishes, broccoli, fennel, tomatoes, new potatoes, courgettes, peppers, strawberries, carrots, mange tout, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, spring onions, red onions, and squash.

Vision for the Stour was formed in 2005 to take forward initiatives in the Area Healthchecks on sustainability issues in our Market Towns.  The Stour Vision was based upon Shipston and many surrounding villages that formed the local economic and social entity. The vision developed an Action Plan that addressed the Economic, Environmental and community based issues.  A range of projects have been supported using £100,000 funding from Stratford District Council over a four year period.

* Class 1 is 4 and 5 year olds.