News
RHS CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOOL GARDENING
The RHS Education Department has just launched the ‘Campaign for School Gardening’, Getting Schools Growing. The aim of this Campaign is that by 2012, with RHS help, 80% of UK primary schools will be providing their pupils with hands-on learning opportunities in school grounds to grow plants and garden sustainably.
The campaign website is a key resource: www.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening, providing a wealth of ideas for schools and pupils in order to get them gardening. Once registered, schools will receive a start up kit and be encouraged to work through five benchmarking levels. On completion of each level and following submission of relevant evidence each school will receive a certificate and reward.
The RHS has appointed the first of the Campaign Regional Advisors, in the East of England, to assist schools in their locality to get growing. Schools in the East of England can contact the Advisor directly at [email protected]
What to do in your school garden in January
January is a great time to start planning a school gardening project so why not register now and receive you free start up kit. The website will guide you through the planning process. Go to the first level of the Benchmark Scheme. Download the advice resource: Starting a School Garden. Begin with an audit of your school grounds using the RHS check list. The soil testing resource in the start up kit will help you test the pH of your soil. You can involve the children with recording and mapping your school grounds. You may be surprised to find you already have things of interest! Then start to think about what you would like to have in you school garden, a vegetable growing area, a sensory garden, a quiet storytelling area, a willow tunnel. Be inspired by looking at the case studies on the website. Think about funding sources for the project – there is a list of potential funding sources on the website. Ask the PTA or Friends of School to help fundraise for tools and seeds. Download the advice on tools needed. Why not organise a meeting to seek parent helpers to support the project. Think about the risks involved with plants and gardening – use the Generic risk assessment form on the website and Health and Safety in the School Garden resource. Get the children to design a poster about safety in the garden.If you progress through the first level of the benchmark scheme you will receive a selection of 9 different seeds just in time to start growing.
If you already have established growing areas at school, this half-term is the time to order you seeds if you haven’t already done so. Ask the children what they would like to grow and think of recipes that could follow towards a celebratory feast! Make your own pizza toppings by growing tomatoes, onion, garlic and herbs such as basil and oregano. Grow strawberries and raspberries to make fruit smoothies, jams and ice creams.Keep using the website and if you can’t find the advice you want contact the RHS for help. Happy school gardening!