Pupils at Deanery Primary School in Sutton Coldfield have taken a major step toward sustainability through a collaborative project with local Rotarians. The young students collected more than 1,300 plastic bottles to create an eco-greenhouse that now stands proudly in the school’s Environmental Area. The structure was built by volunteers from the Wylde Green Rotary Club, who dedicated their time and effort to the project.
Hands-on learning and environmental education
The greenhouse will support hands-on outdoor learning while strengthening the school’s commitment to environmental education. All collected bottles had their bottoms removed and were carefully threaded onto 140 bamboo canes. These canes were then stapled to wooden frames, which were assembled and joined together to form the final structure.
With the build complete, staff will now work alongside the school’s Eco Council to develop a planting and growing programme. Children from all year groups will soon have opportunities to use the greenhouse for practical learning, exploring plant life, sustainability, and caring for the natural world.
Inspiring eco-friendly habits
The school hopes the project will inspire pupils to understand the impact of recycling, take pride in their environment, and develop lifelong eco-friendly habits. Headteacher Lisa McIntosh extended sincere thanks on behalf of the school community: “We are incredibly grateful to the Rotarians of Wylde Green for their hard work and generosity. This project has not only created a fantastic learning environment for our pupils but also demonstrated the power of community collaboration and environmental responsibility.”
She added: “The children in our eco team from Y2 to Y6 classes are planting fruit and veg, which supports learning in our curriculum but will also hopefully produce food to use in our kitchen for school meals. Planting is just beginning.”
Community partnership in action
The project reflects a strong community partnership, with Rotarian volunteers giving their time, skills, and enthusiasm to construct the greenhouse using recycled wood and repurposed materials. Their work has provided the school with an inspiring space that reinforces the importance of sustainability and recycling — values central to the school’s ethos.
Alan Boulton, president of Rotary Wylde Green, said: “We welcomed the opportunity from the Deanery Church of England Primary School to construct and donate an eco-greenhouse. We did it the hard way, not by buying a kit but by constructing the whole thing ourselves. The wood was previously used for another purpose. We cut it to size and length, including all the angles, painted and drilled it and assembled the necessary frames.”
He continued: “It was hard work but great fun! And now the school has an eco-greenhouse which we hope will support the pupils’ work in the environment, helping them to enjoy the wonders of nature by growing plants. It will be great to keep in touch with the project and see how it progresses through the summer months and beyond.”
William Wheat & Son Nursery in Walsall donated materials towards the project, including compost bags, grow bags and plants. Wylde Green Rotarians are enthusiastic, fun-loving, active volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities. To find out more, visit their website.
