We are very proud of our school garden which Mrs Beedon and Mrs Fox look after. The garden is used to teach children about plants and wildlife and allows them to develop an understanding of living healthy lifestyles as well as raising children's self-esteem and developing social skills and a sense of responsibility and achievement.

 

Children in Year Four spend time working in small groups in the Grendon Garden with the purpose of enhancing their understanding of the natural world. Gardening links to the Year 4 science curriculum and encourages Grendon's aims of Communication, Resilience and Independence.

We are lucky to have a dedicated area accredited to level 5 of the RHS Campaign for School Gardens. Children access a wildlife pond surrounded by trees and hedges. A range of herbs, flowers and vegetables are grown which supports children's understanding of seasonality and food production.

The wider school are often invited to participate in growing competitions and projects, and they make regular use of the wildlife habitats in the school garden. 

Throughout the year, there is always something to be done in the garden...

After a soggy start, Year 4 have been able to plant out Early Potatoes. They worked hard digging and weeding the bed. There are two compost bins, which the children put the garden waste into. The potatoes should be ready in June/July.

  

The onions that Year 4 planted in the Autumn are starting to grow and the Broad Beans are starting to sprout too.

While the weather made it difficult for the children to go up to the garden, they did some indoor planting; including tomatoes, courgettes and lettuce. We will transfer these to beds in the garden during the gardening lessons. They also planted Marigolds and Lupins in some flower pots.

  

As a fun activity, two groups made Fairy and Dinosaur gardens. Can you spot a Tyrannosaurus Rex hiding?

 

There will be the annual plant sale in summer as usual, the date will be announced in due course.