VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM


children, with anxiety about transition to Year 3, is now an integral part of our yearly transition plans.


The children are deservedly proud of their work for the garden, with many delighted to see their logos, designs, art and writing appearing on the website, information boards, promotional materials and guide-book, alongside resources and activities they helped to create. The project has since inspired many of our children to visit with their families and to create their own art and writing linked to the garden. One of our pupils even won a competition which saw her design, inspired by the garden, appearing on the side of National Express Coaches where it was seen by people all over the country.


How did you ensure a lasting legacy for the Garden and the community?


On each visit, there were a number of children (and adults) who had never heard of or visited the garden. Leading the children up the steps to the bridge for their first view of the garden, the surprise and delight on their faces never failed to make us smile and we were told, almost daily, of trips to the garden by families who had been persuaded to visit by their children. The project has helped raise awareness of the garden within the community, leading to a rise in visitors and far greater use of the venue for educational visits and families.


The new child-friendly guide, information boards and activities have proved popular with


visiting families and with free entry to the Plantation Garden for school groups, we hope that the work we have done will encourage other schools to visit so they can appreciate what a wonderful resource it has become. There are activities, resources, lessons and examples of work to support with art, poetry, science, photography and creative writing as well as a maths trail, all freely available to download, edit and use, in the newly created Children and Education section on the garden’s website. We welcome submissions from others so we can add to the resources and include photos of work and activities in the online gallery.


We hope this is just the start of something which will continue to grow as more families, groups and schools visit and submit their own work, ideas and activities. I genuinely look forward to seeing what develops next and hope others will get the same level of use and enjoyment from the project as we have!


What advice would you give to others wanting to undertake something similar? The best advice I can give is to involve the children right from the start. The children will provide an influx of ideas which may not have been considered by staff and a school council are the perfect way of ensuring all children become aware of, and involved with, the project. The enthusiasm the children have for a project with such a real purpose and outcome will really help to drive the project forward.


It is also a good idea to involve other key members of staff. Asking for volunteers will find those who may have the drive and enthusiasm to make a really positive contribution and linking the project to curriculum work will get more reluctant staff to see the site first hand. Widening the scope of staff and children working at the site will mean you can create and trial learning opportunities and build a bank of examples of children’s work much more effectively. Once staff have a better idea of the site and the work, it is likely that more will volunteer to support and will provide their own ideas, expertise and enthusiasm to the project.


Regular meetings with interested parties is essential. They provide an opportunity to discuss ideas, share progress and check or clarify things face to face. A positive meeting can also help to maintain high levels of enthusiasm for a project when workload is high and deadlines looming.


A supportive head-teacher, who understands the time and dedication needed to see such a project through, is also a great help! I was, and am, very grateful for the work and support of other staff on the project as it developed far beyond our initial ideas.


Lastly, someone else to discuss and share ideas with can be a great help. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you feel it might be beneficial; I am more than happy to provide any advice or support that I can for anyone who finds themselves undertaking a similar project in the future.


July/August 2017


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