Skyswood Primary School

Skyswood Primary School Environmental Area

Breathing Places visited in November to take a look at the wonderful transformation of an overgrown wasteland into a beautiful wildlife garden. In a very special event, every child brought a plant to school, and planted it in the butterfly garden currently taking shape outside the school.

The People

Every school should have dynamic parents and helpers and luckily that's exactly what Skyswood has in parent Anil Virji. Anil's background in environmental geology gave him the perfect excuse to start the ball rolling and dig a vegetable plot for the children to get to work on back in the winter of 2005.

Anil explains his passion for the project stating - "It's important for kids to understand where food comes from and how plants grow."

Enter Bob Bridle, the new Skyswood Head Teacher, who burst onto the scene in a flurry of green plans and ideas. Bob's pupils and their parents set to work on generating ideas for the garden. Much of the design of the garden has been based upon these ideas and this inclusive approach has added to the success of this lovely project.

This open-hearted ethos is extended to the local community including schools, churches, eco groups and even the local nursery. The Jersey Farm Woodland Park Committee, which is part of the Woodland Trust, have offered their support in the form of butterfly talks which will be held next year.

The Place

This inspiring garden contains a vegetable plot for every class and even plot dedicated to local residents unable to grow things at home. Plans are afoot for a 'Skyswood Grown Food' day where school dinners will consist of produce from the garden.

Towards the back of the garden magical log sculptures stand majestically in a wild area dedicated to minibeasts, and a path of 1,000 bulbs snakes from one end of the garden to the other.

The pupil-led school council will be responsible for the list of rules governing use of the garden and environmental monitors will take on the watering of the plants. The geometric design of the garden is ideal for use as a maths trail and Bob plans to teach the children about crop rotation via the vegetable patch.

Lots of fertiliser and organic matter was needed to kick start the growth of butterfly favourites lavender, buddleia, lilac, thyme and goldenrod. Seven year old school pupil Fai knowledgeably shows us how to plant thyme. The value of the garden lies in inspiring and stimulating young minds to learn about the environment, responsibility and lessons of life. The children clearly love the idea - Fai tells us he has enjoyed the experience so much that he is now growing a sunflower at home as well.

The day after our visit, Anil's children cut the ribbon to declare the garden officially open in front of their proud dad. A fitting end to such a happy story.

Find more information about Skyswood Primary and other Breathing Places in your region here.