Gardening for the very beginner…..

Rebecca Martin went to visit Horrabridge School and talk to Suzy Kraike from ELM, and Headteacher, John Clark to find out all about their new educational garden installed this summer.

Horrabridge School continues to grow this year with its new fantastic working garden area full of food, flowers and fun opportunities for the pupils and teachers at the school to enjoy. This has all been possible with a grant from ‘Tesco Bags of Help’ programme and funds contributed by the PTA and Horrabridge Caveliers.

In the six weeks of the summer holidays, a team of horticulturalists and conservationists from ELM  (Eco Land Management) transformed the space from a derelict area full of bindweeds and brambles to an amazing learning environment of sensory delight. I met Suzy Kraike from ELM, who designed the garden and has been leading the project, to learn all about how the environment was created and what it will mean for the school.

Getting Started

In my conversations with Suzy and headteacher, John Clarke, it became clear that the process was not a quick or simple one for the school, but tinged with excitement and competition. With the original application for funding starting in June 2015, the school had to convince the team at Tesco’s to choose their project, amongst many community ideas, to be shortlisted for a local vote. Once shortlisted, they waited with bated breath whilst members of the local community also voted at the Tavistock Tesco’s over two weekends, using coins to choose their favourite project. Finally, the results were in, and Horrabridge had won the funding.

The Idea

Headteacher, John Clarke, says 'we started the application in order to expand upon the opportunities for our children to experience growing of fruit and vegetables

and in order to be more fully involved in the process that leads to food ultimately making its way onto their plates.’ Along with the team at ELM, governors of the school, especially keen gardener, David Scragg created a winning design. Suzy says a key feature when designing the space was practicality.  Along with all the important educational features, it needs to constantly look good through the seasons as well as being a workable space.

The Garden

What has been created is an outdoor learning environment extra-ordinaire! Alongside a refurbished classroom, the space has a sensory garden with seating where children can appreciate the sights and smells around them. There are ample growing opportunities that the pupils at the school and pre-school will use in their learning which include a greenhouse, display tables and growing beds. Children will find out about the environment through its water butts, habitat boxes and a fantastic Forest School area. John says it is ‘such a wonderful resource’ and they cannot wait to experience ‘the enjoyment and educational value that it is sure to provide.'

Anyone wishing to know more about creating their own haven of education can contact Suzy on suzy@elm.coop and find out about funding at the charity ‘Groundwork’ on 0121 237 5780.