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School launches gardening project

4:43pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Catherine Priestley, Chief Reporter (Sedgefield)

BUDDING gardeners at a Ferryhill school will carry on learning when they leave the classroom thanks to a gardening project.

Pupils at Broom Cottages Primary School and Nursery will learn all about growing produce and healthy eating through work in its new garden.

Groundwork North East is helping to install raised beds and a polytunnel within the grounds and the school will also get tools and seeds.

An afterschool club will then be established during the summer term to show the children how to use the new allotment areas and appreciate their environment.

They are already planning to grow pumpkins which they hope to enter into a competition.

Children will get help decide what to grow to how to spend the remaining budget to get what they need for their allotment.

The project is being funded by Durham County Councillor Dave Farry’s neighbourhood budget, money the council asks members to allocate to projects in their ward.

He said: “This is a continuation of community and school allotment projects I’ve supported teaching children about how plants grow and healthy eating.

“Two schools have gone on to enter the town’s leek show and got the top prizes.”

Headteacher Sean Kavanagh (correct) said: “The garden project will develop children’s life skills, there will be an economic benefit as they hope to grow produce to sell and it is a healthy activity they can all get involved with.”