RHS garden transformation for Co-op Academy New Islington
Co-op Academy New Islington has recently undergone a huge outdoor transformation, thanks to volunteer gardeners from Plant Co-operative, Liz Dalby-Webb and Andy Farrington, and The Cloud Gardner’s Jason Williams.
In April, primary pupils were lucky enough to attend Manchester’s RHS Urban Show, where Andy, Liz and Jason had co-designed a community patio garden.
Jason worked with Manchester University students to exhibit 7 gardens at the Urban Show, inspiring urban developers to think about wildlife habitats in their city projects.
RHS Manager, Pauline Cunningham, donated 30 tickets for year 4 to attend and take a sneak peek at their very own future garden.
The children had a fantastic time, admiring the enchanted Urban Forest, a balcony garden, a patio arrangement, farm garden and woodland garden developed from logs, called ‘Log-a-rhythm’.
Co-op Academy New Islington has been chosen as a home for 2 of these spaces - the patio and farm garden! Thanks to their outdoor education partners, Liz and Andy, the suggestion was made to donate these gardens to a local and caring community and New Islington are thrilled to be selected.
Last month, 200 top-quality plants, 13 planters, 2 tonnes of compost and 2 tonnes of woodchip all arrived to create a garden worth over £10,000 at the school!
Jason, Liz and Natasha delivered 10 educational planting workshops to all 260 pupils who had their part to play in the development of 4 key areas:
Main entrance area - now a place of colour and scent, with 3 additional planters and a very loved rhododendron plant.
Staff car park - now looking and smelling beautiful with 3 colourful planters, filled with bulbs, shrubs and perennials.
Early Years playground - with 2 mini-planters adding friendly colour and a sensory experience for the youngest children.
Forest School - with its biggest upgrade in 5 years:
- 5 cherry trees, planted by year 4
- 2 planters filled with edible plants, planted by year 2
- 5 planters with ornamental perennials and a pergola, planted by year 5
- a beautiful arch doorway of climbing plants in the reading garden, planted by children from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- woodland ferns, planted by year 3
The benefits of outdoor space, not only aiding biodiversity, but also for the physical and mental wellbeing of young people, are key. The children and staff are thrilled with their new, inviting green space.
Thanks to the Cloud Gardener, Jason Williams, for designing and donating the garden and sharing the joy of gardening with New Islington’s pupils. Likewise, to partners from Plant Co-operative, Liz and Andy, who nominated the school as worthy recipients and have been working with New Islington to bring fun and creativity into gardening. And a final appreciation to Natasha DeVoe, who runs Forest School sessions at the school and keeps everyone's outdoor spirit alive with her brilliant workshops.
Check out the transformation below:
