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| Case Study: Playaway Garden Project, Fern Hill Primary School |
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Fern Hill Primary School was established in 1994, and moved into new permanent buildings on its current site in 1998. The school has a large infants playground and a similar space on the other side of the building for juniors, linked together by a wide strip of land. In 1998, the PSA set up “The Gardening & Environment Working Party” to develop this land for educational purposes. Over the years the school has developed a wonderful garden, encompassing 3 main elements: Discovery (the ‘secret garden’), Production (growing vegetables) and Wildlife.
The whole project has evolved slowly, but steadily, with lots of support from staff, parents and the wider community. Over the years, different small pots of money have spurred on new elements of the project, and now the gardens look well established, and are well used and enjoyed by the school.
The first step was to consult with parents, staff and pupils to find out what they would like to use the space for, and how it could be developed to support the curriculum. The resounding response was for the area to be greened and have a variety of areas that staff and pupils could use for a range of studies, as well as for social and imaginative play.
Landscape architecture students from Merrist Wood Horticultural College in Kingston were asked to design plans for the garden as part of the competition, and the winning design was used to inform the landscaping of the area. The final plan was of three gardens with different themes, linked by walkways.
Local businesses were employed for the hard landscaping, but most of the hard graft came from parents on specified volunteer days. Twice a term parents were able to volunteer to help to dig over the ground, make raised beds and get involved with the planting. This was seen as a very enjoyable event, with children mucking in, and parents using it as a good excuse for a social!
Money for the project trickled in from many different sources: school events including plant sales once the garden was productive; donations and sponsorship from local business; as well as some small awards from trusts. But the overall amount spent was small in relation to the final product, and instead the PSA team used their innovation to recruit students for design, and by getting a lot of funding ‘in kind’ from volunteer time.
Fern Hill has a strong school council, who were involved in consultation with the landscape architecture students over plans. Children were also encouraged to keep garden diaries to monitor the changes, and to join the Junior Gardening Club. Classes can work out there all year round, and the incorporation into lesson plans is so successful thanks to the initial consultation with teachers regarding learning needs. There is a maths area in the secret garden, and each class has a vegetable plot, which flourish with everything from beans and sweet peas, to courgettes, herbs and sunflowers.
The next project at Fern Hill is called “Playaway”. The aim is to develop the junior and infant playgrounds to provide zoning for different types of activities, and to install more shelters for shade and sociable play. They are currently at the stage of observing the current use of the grounds, and visiting other schools for inspiration. In 2004, Fern Hill received and EDF Energy award, which is being used to contract Handmade Places to build a bespoke shelter and seating system to break up the large junior playground. They also have a SEED challenge grant which they hope to use for an outdoor musical centre, and a weather centre.
As the project has grown, more and more parents have become involved, and now there are several parents committed to each role of fundraising, organising events, and organising volunteers. The success of this strategy is obvious, with no one parent having all of the pressure of finding funds. By spreading the load, Fern Hill PSA has made itself a lot stronger. For all those parents who cannot get involved, there is a notice board in the main entrance, which explains the importance of the playground project, and gives updates and examples of the children’s work. Staff, parents and pupils are regularly asked to give feedback at different stages of the project.
The overall vibe in the school is one of excitement. The children work well and take pride in their school. In the summer term, all pupils were invited to design a logo for “Playaway” which is used on all correspondence to local businesses and designers. |
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