“Secret Garden” Unlocks London Pupils’ Full Potential

It can be difficult for children to get enough fresh air and contact with the environment in the capital, which is why the team at SOLD are delighted by any projects that promote outdoor learning in London, such as the famed 'Secret Garden' in Battersea.

Meet Colette Morris, headteacher of Christ Church Primary School, Battersea, who has managed to transform not only an abandoned lot, but also the entire atmosphere at her school, with just a little help from gardening and outdoor learning! You may recognise Colette from her fantastic presentation at our recent Learning Beyond the Classroom Conference in April where she talked about her "Secret Garden", a project that has been so successful and had such an impact that it has even been featured in The Guardian!

The journey began when the school acquired a nearby abandoned allotment - one in such a state of disrepair that children actually couldn't enter it on its official opening day! Following a number of grants, becoming a Royal Horticultural Society Partner School (and receiving practical help from RHS advisers, and professional training for teachers about gardening and integrating it into the curriculum), and a lot of hard work, the lot is now a flourishing garden, boasting many fine plants, including pumpkins, apple trees, raspberry bushes, and even a cabbage patch.

Aside from the garden being used in conjunction with various classes, the children have to employ a variety of skills when working in the garden, including everything from maths, to patience, to teamwork; Colette also reports that it is fantastic inspiration for children engaging in creative work like writing!

Currently, there are 15 members in the school's official garden club, but since the garden has been included in the curriculum, every student gets to experience the outdoors regularly and reap the benefits of doing so. In fact, the children are vocal about their love of time spent in the garden, and teachers have seen improvements in students with behavioural issues, as well as a greater appreciation for flora and fauna, and an increased effort against food wastage.

Due to the urban environment of London, many children at the school don't have their own garden at home, and the community, in general, do not eat many vegetables, which is another area that the secret garden really helps with - children get a chance to experience green spaces and wildlife, and the school provides recipes for parents to try at home to introduce less well-known fruits and vegetables for students to try, like chard. The school are is planning to teach students how to make chutneys for them to sell!

For more information about setting up your own school garden, you can find various guides and tips by GrowVeg, The Growing Schools Garden and Garden Organic.

If you're looking to promote outdoor learning London amongst your own school or class, then why not take a look at the ways that SOLD can help you? We have a number of courses and training days specifically targeted for educators to help you to fit outdoor learning into your curriculum so that your pupils (and you!) can see the benefits! Contact us today for more information on booking, or if you have any queries about what we do, we're always happy to help!