Thriving schools win national gardening contest

[KG magazine]

Three thriving schools have won a national contest for the 3,000 members of an organic growing project, supported by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Haworth Primary School, Yorkshire, Oakham CE Primary School, Rutland, and St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School, Surrey, have won the annual harvest competition run by the Duchy Originals Garden Organic for Schools project.

Ten per cent of all primary and secondary schools in the UK are members of this inspiring initiative, which helps schools to grow their own organic vegetables and fruit. The project is run by Garden Organic, the national charity for organic growing, and sponsored by Duchy Originals, The Prince of Wales’s organic and natural food brand.

The prize-winning schools have grown fabulous crops of organic vegetables, fruit and flowers this year. Haworth has been distributing its produce to elderly members of its community and also planted up baskets, containers and flowerbeds to brighten up its nearby fire, railway and police stations. Oakham has used its produce for weekly cookery lessons and has even written its own cookery book. St Thomas of Canterbury has provided vegetables and fruit for its school kitchen and also turned its garden into a wildlife haven.

Colette Bond, Head of Education for Garden Organic, says: “It is fantastic to see how much these pupils and teachers have achieved this year. They have worked very hard in their school gardens to grow a bumper harvest of organic vegetables, fruit and flowers, which have not only been put to wonderful use in their own schools, but also brought many benefits to their local communities.”

The winning schools were chosen for sending in the best reports, including diaries, photographs and artwork, to demonstrate what they had achieved in their gardens this year. They were able to choose from a variety of prizes. Haworth opted for a visit from the Education Team to help with its latest project, Oakham will be bringing a group of children to visit the beautiful gardens at Garden Organic Ryton, Warwickshire, and St Thomas of Canterbury chose a selection of gardening equipment, kindly donated by Duchy Originals, Link-a-Bord, Impact Publishing and HappyMais.

The Duchy Originals Garden Organic for Schools project is free to join and provides a wealth of support for teachers, pupils and parents keen to grow their own organic produce. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, free seeds and advice, and access to a dedicated website suggesting lots of fun activities, linked to the National Curriculum.

To find out more about the project visit www.schoolsorganic.net or call 024 7630 8238.