A calm, safe and welcoming place in which to work and learn.
A place where everyone supports each other to achieve.
A place we enjoy coming to each day.

At Childwall Abbey School (C.A.S.), we believe that horticulture and eco-schools activities provide pupils with wide ranging benefits. These include:

• Improving their well-being through focussed physical activity
• Providing a “quiet space” where pupils can take a “time out” and self-regulate
• Building life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication which are a vital part of transition preparation
• Enhancing opportunities to apply practical literacy, numeracy and oracy skills to their experience of gardening
• Enriching and supporting delivery of aspects of the National Curriculum e.g. science, maths, geography, art, design and languages
• Encouraging pupils to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, including an appreciation of healthy eating
• Teaching about the environment and sustainability
• Providing pupils who may not have one to simply enjoy the garden environment
• Helping pupils to engage with their surroundings in a positive and inquisitive manner
• Supporting the development of a sense of responsibility

All the above benefits match closely with C.A.S. whole school goals of supporting pupils to -

“be prepared for their personal next steps in life, moving out into the wider world, with the capacity to keep safe, to achieve and contribute to the best of their ability”

 
and in the;

“development of personal physical and mental resilience and the ability to co-operate with others”.

Resource-rich investment such as the nine metre polytunnel, raised bed refurbishment and creation of several outdoor learning and reflection areas have established a popular and flexible learning environment within the school grounds. We have witnessed the benefits of gardening for those members of our school community who have previously experienced disengagement with school.

Literacy, numeracy and oracy skills are enhanced through the application of ‘real life’ experiences together with an understanding of individual and group responsibility. As part our development of this valuable opportunity for pupils, C.A.S. has become a member of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. This project inspires and supports schools to provide children with gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their personal development and independence.

Our pupils’ experiences and engagement in this area of the curriculum support our Eco-schools project. The imminent award of the Eco Schools’ Green Flag award will further recognise how the C.A.S. community raises ‘real world’ environmental issues and demonstrate how awareness, and corresponding actions, are achievable by all members of society.

Pupils’ achievements are recorded and accredited through ASDAN and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.