Sandylands Primary School Unveils Innovative Pupil-Led Eco-Garden
Pupils, staff, parents, and community partners at Sandylands Primary School in Morecambe are celebrating a transformative initiative that has turned unused land into a vibrant, pupil-led eco-garden. This new space is dedicated to nature, wellbeing, and ecological learning, fostering hands-on educational experiences for all involved.
Funding and Collaboration Drive the Project
The eco-garden project has been made possible through a significant £47,000 investment from West End Morecambe Big Local (WEM), a resident-led community partnership focused on addressing local issues and enhancing the area through collaborative efforts. This funding is complemented by support from Lancashire County Council, ensuring the project's successful implementation.
Pupil Involvement Shapes the Design
Central to the project is the active involvement of the children themselves. Following an innovative pupil forum organized by WEM, which sought a child's perspective on life in the West End, pupils expressed a strong desire for a green space that felt uniquely theirs. In response, members of Sandylands' Pupil Parliament formed an eco-committee to help design the garden.
The design includes a variety of features aimed at promoting sustainability and outdoor learning:
- Growing areas and polytunnels for cultivating vegetables
- Bug hotels and bird feeders to support local wildlife
- Water collection systems for planting and irrigation
- Outdoor seating and a large activity table for educational activities
- A memorial bench among herbs and strawberry planters in honor of former school governor June Ashworth
Pupils will be responsible for tending the vegetables, which will be used in the school kitchen, taken home by students, or sold as part of a young market garden entrepreneurship program.
Integration into Curriculum and Community
Aligned with the school's Climate Action Plan, the eco-garden will be embedded into the curriculum, supporting subjects such as science, environmental studies, and wellbeing activities. This integration spans from Little Seahorses Nursery through to Year 6 children, providing age-appropriate learning opportunities.
During a recent groundbreaking event, Sandylands Headteacher Allison Hickson shared her enthusiasm: "We're incredibly proud of this project and what it represents. Creating sustainable environments is important to us and something that children need to be involved in and educated on. We are hugely grateful to WEM and all our collaborators and contractors, for believing in the children's ideas and helping turn them into reality."
Community Support and Future Plans
Joe Robinson, Partnership Development Lead at West End Morecambe Big Local, emphasized the importance of including children's voices: "Children's voices are often forgotten in public consultations, and the scope and imagination of this project shows just how important and inspiring they can be. An eco-garden designed by children, for children; we're delighted to support Sandylands in bringing this wonderful resource to life."
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of March, with spring planting and landscaping to follow. A formal opening is planned around Easter, timed perfectly for children to engage hands-on as the days grow longer. The school is also seeking support from local businesses to provide equipment such as tools, wellies, and outdoor learning resources.
With the upcoming Eden Project in the region, Ms. Hickson noted that the school community aims to be actively involved in sustainable initiatives, highlighting the broader connections between local environmental efforts.
