Altwood students create nature haven to support wildlife and grow organic produce

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altwood-students-with-pond

  • Altwood students have created a nature haven at the school as part of its science and gardening club
  • The area features a wild garden pond and an organic vegetable garden
  • Students have been working on the project during lunchtimes and after school
  • Students enjoyed the benefits so much they are choosing to continue with the project throughout the 2016/17 academic year.

 

Students at Altwood School in Maidenhead have been working during lunchtimes and after school to create a sustainable nature haven to support wildlife and grow organic produce as part of a science and gardening club.

 

Year 8 students Bailey Durbin, Sophie Piper, Charlie Carpenter and Arooj Khan created a wild garden pond and an organic vegetable garden, growing a wide range of produce for staff and families to enjoy. The students worked collaboratively to design, create and tend the area, with support from science technicians Harriet Sparks and David Harding, contributing seeds, tools and their free time to make the garden a tremendous success. The students enjoyed the benefits so much they are choosing to continue with the project throughout the 2016/17 academic year.

 

The Royal Horticultural Society’s research into the educational benefits of gardening projects found that they helped students build skills independent thinking and collaboration skills, as well as increasing students’ resilience and confidence.

 

Harriet Sparks at Altwood School said: “The project has taught the children about many aspects of nature and they have been an absolute pleasure to work with. They have been keen and hardworking, attending every week come rain or shine, with or without wellies. The students all contributed excellent ideas and have grown some delicious vegetables and berries, which many of us have enjoyed!”

 

Neil Dimbleby, Headteacher at Altwood School said: “It has been fantastic to see how much Bailey, Sophie, Charlie and Arooj have enjoyed creating their nature haven. The extra-curricular life at Altwood has been thriving over the past academic year, and the fact is that projects like this help students to build a host of valuable skills that then filter through all aspects of their education. Having happy, keen and enthusiastic students is every Headteacher’s dream. I’d like to congratulate all four students for their commitment and attitude towards this project, and on making their garden a tremendous success.”