James Gillespie's

Gardening Club

     What have we done so far?

• Created an 'amphitheatre' from existing logs and purchased additional seating.
• Planted 10 established native shrub trees in November as well as 30 under storey hedging plants.
• Establishd a log pile using recycledlogs.   A recycling 'barrel' was donated by a local brewery and is now used for composting leaves.  Further composting bins have been acquired and are sited in the woodland area.
• A colourful array of springtime and early summertime bulbs were planted throughout the greenbelt within the school grounds.   Special attention was paid to the planting in the woodland area to encourage butterflies and insects e.g. native bluebell species.
• Due to proposed extension works, the plans for the creation of marshland now needs to be reviewed.

Benefits of the project so far

• The gardening club has encouraged children to give greater value to the school grounds.
• We have and continue to extend the bio-diversity of the campus e.g. the establishment of a log pile is encouraging a wider range of mini beasts which can be studied by the children.
• Composting initiatives have realistically created an opportunity to recycle organic waste.
• Extensive bulb planting will enhance the school wthos by creating a more aesthetically pleasing environment.
• The planting of indigenous species of trees and hedge will create a sub-canopy which will become a genuine woodland habitat.
• The amphitheatre will offer a valuable resource for teachers which can be adapted for Circle Time, drama, story telling and seminal area for science.