North East

Gardening in primary schools
13 January 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A day exploring how to use the school grounds no matter how small the growing space available. There will be a guide to setting up vegetable, sensory and wildlife areas. We shall bombard you with creative ideas for growing in your school grounds, as well as covering health and safety and the practicalities of working with children outside. There will be a chance to have a go at some National Curriculum linked activities including a workshop on propagation to develop your own skills.

 

Working with willow
22 January 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Phil Bradley is a full-time basket maker and willow grower with 15 years experience of working with willow in schools. We will be taking a look at a whole variety of willow related projects from outdoor live willow play structures through to indoor screens and sculptural projects. Part of the day will be spent looking at some examples of previous work in schools and there will be a practical session for some hands-on involvement with willow. You will find this an inspirational day that will allow you to return to school full of ideas and the know-how to have a go at a willow project of your own.

 

Spring Term

Living Willow
10 March 2009
Ellicar House
Come along for a fun hands-on day weaving willow. Weave living willow wigloos, arbours, fedges and tunnels; learn how to use willow in your school gardens- weave a plant support, woven edging and try your hand at small woven willow sculptures to take back to school- teachers and children will love these! We will look at growing and coppicing willow in your own schools and hope to give you lots of ideas and inspiration....

 

Gardening in primary schools
16 March 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A day exploring more ways to garden creatively in school. We shall be looking at new ideas for growing vegetables including a guide to companion planting. We shall guide you through planning your vegetable growing year and offer you our list of ‘Top Crops’ to grow in the school. There will also be a chance to think about those awkward areas in the grounds. Have you ever thought about the fascinating world of Alpines or how to plant a wildflower meadow? During the day we will think carefully about composting and give you a chance to extend your gardening skills through a propagation workshop.

 

Summer Term

Sow it, Grow it, Cook it and Eat it!
28 April 2009
Ellicar House
Learn how to set up an ‘Edible School Garden’ and harvest vegetables, fruit and herbs. We will look at ways of making the garden child friendly, pest-proof and easy to maintain, with irrigation, mulches, composting, and organic gardening techniques.
Hands-on sessions include seed sowing, weaving plant supports and making raised beds. You will learn the best vegetables to grow and tasty recipes to try in class. As well as the edible rewards, children will enjoy making scarecrows and studying soil and life-cycles. Any excess vegetables can be sold at the school gate!

 

Sow it, Grow it, Cook it and Eat it!
30 April 2009
Doddington Hall
Learn how to set up an ‘Edible School Garden’ and harvest vegetables, fruit and herbs. We will look at ways of making the garden child friendly, pest-proof and easy to maintain, with irrigation, mulches, composting, and organic gardening techniques.
Hands-on sessions include seed sowing, weaving plant supports and making raised beds. You will learn the best vegetables to grow and tasty recipes to try in class. As well as the edible rewards, children will enjoy making scarecrows and studying soil and life-cycles. Any excess vegetables can be sold at the school gate!

 

Growing soft fruit in schools
1 May 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Soft fruits: those that grow on bushes and herbaceous plants, are very useful in establishing a fruit garden because they come into fruit reasonably early after planting. They include woody plants such as the currants and blueberries through to strawberries. Providing a mix of background information and practical activities, the course serves as an introduction to fruit growing. At the end of the course delegates should be aware of the range of fruit that can be grown, how to grow them and have a basic understanding of the cultural requirements. This course is targeted at those who are responsible for or who are about to set up a school garden. No prior experience of fruit growing is necessary.

 

Setting Up Your School Garden
12 May 2009
Ellicar House
Add a new dimension to your lessons and open up an exciting world of environmental, creative and scientific study with a school garden. To help you set up your school garden we will consider different types of garden, their benefits and uses as an outdoor classroom. Along with site surveying and drawing plans, we’ll look at paving, paths, incorporating shade and discuss ways of making your garden attractive and low maintenance. We will cover choosing plants, wildlife ponds and safety aspects. Practical sessions include tree planting, seed sowing, and making simple raised beds. Finally we will look at organising and funding this exciting project and ways of involving the whole school and community. Come along and be inspired!

 

Wildlife in Primary Schools!
4 June 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A day devoted to exploring a variety of habitats at RHS Garden Harlow Carr which will include meadows, ponds and leaf litter. We will be deepening your minibeast knowledge through close observation and collection and discover fun ways to collect and encourage wildlife into your school grounds. During this enjoyable day there will be a variety of practical activities linking to relevant QCA units, which can be used in the primary school setting. These will include sculptures, games and identification traps. You will also be able to plant up your very own ‘Butterfly Bowl!’

 

Activities for your School Garden
9 June 2009
Ellicar House
A School garden opens up a world of creative, environmental, and scientific activities ideal for KS1-2. Learn how to set up a weather station, study soil, catch minibeasts, attract birds and make a pond. Discover how a garden can be used to help with Literacy, Numeracy and ICT. Take home mosaic tiles, make musical instruments and weave willow plant supports and sculptures… The possibilities are endless and learning outdoors is great fun, inspiring and rewarding for teachers as well as children!

 

Gardening in primary schools 
14 July 2009
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
A day exploring more ways to garden creatively in school. We shall be looking at new ideas for growing vegetables including a guide to companion planting. We shall guide you through planning your vegetable growing year and offer you our list of ‘Top Crops’ to grow in the school. There will also be a chance to think about those awkward areas in the grounds. Have you ever thought about the fascinating world of Alpines or how to plant a wildflower meadow? During the day we will think carefully about composting and give you a chance to extend your gardening skills through a propagation workshop.

 
 
 

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