A VILLAGE school has earned national recognition for its “seeds to saucepan” project.
The Friends of Whitley School, near Warrington, has been selected as one of 14 finalists in the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) Gold Star Rewards scheme.
Submitted in the Changing the Life of the School category, the project provided
an opportunity for parents and villagers to work together.
The school enjoyed a weekly “hands on” activity that enabled pupils to learn about the whole cycle of planning, planting, growing, cooking and eating local home grown food.
It ran on most Thursday afternoons over three terms. During this time vegetable beds were built, planters were filled and spring bulbs were planted.
Vegetables, including potatoes, peas, beans, garlic and pumpkins were grown and harvested together with mint, lemon balm, lavender, nasturtiums and marigolds. Recipes were created for potato cakes, lemon balm lemonade, lavender biscuits and more.
Headteacher Mrs Julie Morrison said: “This has been an exciting project, which we feel is unique because it brings together so many different strands of the children’s learning and is at the heart of the Every Child Matters agenda.
“In addition, it has reinforced community cohesion with our pupils developing relationships with members of the local community who otherwise they may not have done.”
The Friends will attend a presentation ceremony at the House of Commons on April 29, where winners will be announced.
