Edible Playground
9
The Pitch
Problem statement
Frizinghall Primary approached us to help them design and build a vibrant food growing green space in an unutilised area of their playground. It is currently tarmacked and neglected. They want to develop it to help meet the needs of their pupils post-Covid. Many pupils suffered months of lockdowns with no access to green space and this has affected their physical and mental wellbeing along with creating gaps in their learning. Learning outside would offer new positive experiences. The school is positioned in an extremely urban part of Bradford, surrounded by rows of terraced houses, in an area of high deprivation. Some of the pupils live in the highest 10% of deprivation in the UK (IMD).
Solution
Creating one of our award winning Edible Playgrounds will empower pupils, staff and families to grow and learn together in a bespoke, colourful outdoor classroom. We provide year long support from our local partners, Grow to School and ongoing support from us thereafter. "We want to create an ‘Eco Hub’ for whole class use, turning the space into a vibrant and sensory resource to support positive mental health and wellbeing" Deputy headteacher. Frizinghall School have contributed £5,000 and we are match funding the remaining £25,000. The funding raised will be used towards materials, resources and/or equipment for the school to meet the needs of the their pupils and offer new experiences.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Trees for Cities has 25 years of experience working with urban schools across UK cities transforming playgrounds into natural green spaces and removing barriers to nature-based learning. Over the last 15 years we have delivered almost 200 projects in schools across 14 towns and cities in the UK. We work with children to draw on their unique perspectives to reimagine and re-design playgrounds; introducing trees, forest gardens, food-growing, outside classrooms, woodland play areas, mini-forests and wildlife habitats. We also offer training, resources, design and engagement tailored for each unique school. Please watch our award winning video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc80FUbQndM
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Wood for raised beds and upcycled bicycle wheel trellis | £2,000 |
Beneficiaries
450 people
Expected impact
We will be hands on for the first year in order to: - Provide the school team with resources/information about food growing and outdoor learning to build skills and confidence to teach outdoors - Support 2 key members of staff with at least 4 workshops in eg planting seedings, harvesting crops and composting for them to empower colleagues and pupils - Support key staff to deliver sessions linked to the curriculum across key stages for approx 400 pupils to support - Enable pupils to grow, cook and eat their own produce whilst gaining an understanding of sustainability, where food comes from and make healthier choices - Pupils, staff and families to benefit mentally and physically from spending time outdoors in a green environment - The space will provide a tool for managing behaviour and meeting learning styles eg sensory - Students will display pro-environmental behaviour and be climate aware - Most pupils spend more time learning outside the classroom developing new life skills
Track record
Previous project data from schools: 93% of schools said the Edible Playground had a moderate to significant effect on pupils’ connection to nature. 86% said their Edible Playground had moderate to significant positive effect on pupils’ moods, self-esteem and mental health. 91% said that the Edible Playground had a moderate to significant effect on pupils’ knowledge of food and nutrition. ”Edible Playgrounds develop young minds with life skills that support them to be global citizens - the children learn how they have the greatest power to make choices that will transform the whole planet and their own health and wellbeing." Headteacher, Dormers Wells Infant School 90% of respondents would recommend their Edible Playground to other schools. The above evidence is backed up by external recognition. Edible Playgrounds has been recognised for its impact through awards including the Postcode Dream Trust and the Charity Times Corporate Social Responsibility Project of the Year with Bulb.