A love of gardening is growing amongst children in County Durham thanks to a school’s community garden.
Developed by staff and pupils at Bearpark Primary School, the garden is providing pupils with an opportunity to spend time outdoors and learn some life skills.
Thanks to generous donations from local suppliers, children have been working with the school’s caretaker and volunteers to plant trees and bulbs, as well as learning more about growing their own produce and spending time with their school chickens.
Bearpark Primary has also received funding support from local member Cllr Marion Wilson, from her Neighbourhood Budget, to support the pupils’ outdoor learning.
Joanne Clements, Headteacher at Bearpark Primary School, said: “Gardening can enrich the curriculum, teach children life skills, and contribute to their emotional and physical health. It also plays a pivotal role in developing active citizens for the future so I’m very grateful to the community for their generosity in helping us create this space.
“This has been a fantastic project following the impact of the pandemic, not only benefitting our pupils but also their families as they are all able to spend time together in the outdoors. We are really looking forward to seeing this garden grow in the community.”
Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “I am so grateful to our school staff and our communities for their efforts to ensure our children are making the most of the outdoors and having fun while they learn.
“The community garden is a wonderful space for young people to focus on their wellbeing and enjoy the benefits of watching their own produce grow. Hopefully, this will inspire some green-fingered gardeners of the future too.”
Anyone with any gardening expertise in the local area, or who would like to volunteer their time or equipment to support with the community garden, should contact bearpark@durhamlearning.net
