Emmanuel School Garden

The school has a sheltered, but light, courtyard with a small raised bed and several ornamental trees. In the spring and summer of 2008 vegetables were grown in the raised bed. The growing, harvesting and consumption was much appreciated and celebrated by the children, parents and carers, staff and other members of the school community. As a result of the interest generated and the desire to develop vegetable, herb and fruit growing within the school grounds the school participated in the Morrison’s Lets Grow project, obtaining a greenhouse and staging with the 7,000 vouchers collected. As part of this programme Heeley City Farm were invited to advise the school on developing food growing opportunities within the school. It was identified that the school needs support and advice over a longer period of time than. The school wants to appoint a School Garden support worker for an average of 12 hours per week within the school terms and for appropriate times in school holidays. The School Garden Support worker will: • Help the school community identify and develop potential food growing areas in the school and school grounds • Work directly with pupils, teachers and other support staff to prepare land, propagate seeds and grow, harvest and consume vegetables and other crops • Initiate container food growing projects within the school • Involve parents and other members of the school and wider community in food growing • Help establish school, after school and school holiday food growing clubs • Mentor staff, parents and carers in local food growing to secure the continuity of the programme after the Local Food Fund grant • Maintain the school garden as appropriate in the school holidays.