What the children think

Year 2 classmates Phoebe Ward and George Martin, both seven, can regularly be found in the school’s allotments and vegetable garden.

‘I like planting things and watching them grow. We grow raspberries, potatoes and tomatoes which I sometimes take home to eat,’ explained Phoebe.

George added: ‘We recently had a tree planting day which I really enjoyed. It is important to plant trees as they take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen.’

In addition to those activities embedded within the curriculum, many of the children also partake in a host of additional clubs.

Gardening Club participant Arthur Harris, seven, said: ‘I love being part of the Gardening Club and helping to make sure all our plants and trees are in good condition. Last week I helped to put chippings around the trees to help keep them warm. It is great to be in a school which really cares for the environment.’

Whatever the activity the children undertake, the underlying principle of conservation is at the core of children’s learning.

Year 3 pupil Darcy Pointon-Clarke, 7, said: ‘It is really important we look after our planet otherwise our wildlife will start to disappear. This can affect the food chains as if one animal dies out it will then impact on other wildlife.’

Ruby Ogden, 10, added: ‘It is important we protect the natural environment as we are destroying the habitat in which animals live. For example plastics in the ocean take thousands of years to biodegrade and this is really affecting the marine ecosystem.’