Staff and pupils at Stoneraise School are buzzing with excitement after achieving top marks for green schemes at the Cumbria in Bloom Awards.
Stoneraise School, at Durdar, near Carlisle, scooped top prize in the biodiversity category. This was presented by the Mayor of Carlisle, Mike Mitchelson, during a celebration event at the Civic Centre.
Gardening projects completed during the latest round of judging were all led and designed by children in the classroom before becoming a reality within the school grounds.
A newly-planted wildlife hedge and wildflower meadow have recently enhanced youngsters’ commitment to biodiversity and they impressed judges with a vast horticultural knowledge.
These two big projects complement the school’s large eco area, “pollination street” planters and flock of hens.
Clem Coady, head teacher, said: “To be awarded the top school in Cumbria is amazing. The ideas the children come up with are amazing. They really want to solve global problems linked to climate change, and realise that we can all play our part.
“Their solution-focused approach is something to be commended. We simply provide the platform for the children to develop their ideas and create great habitats, while at the same time making our outdoor space a brilliant environment to learn in.”
“Judging comments agreed that biodiversity is integrated into the overall gardening plan in every way and that the children have a very good understanding of both biodiversity and environmental issues.
“The school has a long tradition of using gardening within the curriculum to bring learning to life. The school has previously received recognition from both the Eco Schools Awards and Ofsted for using gardening uniquely to enhance learning. This latest accolade will help firmly dig in their rightful place as biodiversity champions.”
Focusing on the future, Mr Coady added: “The children want to do something linked to the King’s Coronation and possibly a multipurpose container patch next. It will be exciting to see what their ideas are in more detail and see where it takes us.”
