The organic vegetable garden

Introduction

Grantown Primary School is situated in the heart of the Highlands with over 300 pupils organised into 10 classes including a nursery.

The project was initiated in 2006 when an Eco project that embraced and developed the principles and capacities of Curriculum for Excellence was devised. The project entitled 'Recycling and the Environment' offered many opportunities to develop enterprise in education.

One of these enterprise projects was to establish and develop an organic vegetable garden within the school grounds. The proposed garden development also complemented other health promoting initiatives within the school.

Active learning

The garden project was initially undertaken by P6 pupils, who located and measured the area to be developed and drew up detailed plans of what to include in the garden. They also prepared the ground and moved the soil – no mean feat!

The garden has continued to develop and has evolved dramatically. The involvement of parents, local businesses and the local community has been crucial in this process. It is now a whole school initiative and provides all pupils with the opportunity to engage in active outdoor learning experiences ensuring the garden's continuing development and sustainability.