Gallery: Pupils get down to earth

IT was on with the wellies and out with the gardening tools as students enjoyed working on their school's new allotment, learning about vegetable growing and harvesting.

Youngsters at Deben High at Felixstowe took part in a Vegetable Growing Day as part of a programme designed to help them learn life skills that promote healthy living.

Year seven pupils were given the opportunity to learn about planting potatoes, carrots and brassicas, seed sowing and composting.

There was no sitting about in a classroom either - as they grabbed spades and forks and set about doing the planting and weeding themselves.

Darryl James, subject leader for personal, social, health and economic education at the school, said: “The project began with the school collecting the Morrison's 'Let's Grow' vouchers, which enabled us to get vegetable and flower seeds as well as some garden tools and equipment.

“We then approached local farmer Roger Cosgrove of Farm2Form to get some expert advice on creating a school allotment and organising the vegetable growing day.

“The next stage will involve the children harvesting the vegetables and using the produce to make healthy meal ideas during the summer term.

“Any surplus vegetables will be sold at the school's monthly market with the proceeds going to the school and towards maintenance of the allotment.”

An after-school club will also be started if the allotment work creates sufficient interest.

Mr James said without the support of businesses in the area the project would not have been possible and he thanked Mr Cosgrove, Crown Nursery, who donated some apple trees, and Morrisons at Felixstowe for their help.

Each of the year seven classes had a 45-minute session at the allotment.

Is your school taking part in any exciting and interesting activities? Contact our newsdesk on 01473 324788 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk