Children at Islington’s Gillespie Primary School are developing green fingers thanks to a brand new playground, which includes a kitchen garden.
The nursery and reception sections of the school playground have been completely transformed after Islington Council secured £30,000 of Section 106 funding from Arsenal Football Club.
Existing tarmac has been turned into a green oasis, with the creation of a kitchen garden, which the school is using to grow a range of fruit and veg including potatoes, radishes, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and herbs. Plans are also being made for a wildlife garden to be developed.
A raised play and learning platform has been built, giving younger children direct access to the outside space from their classrooms. This means teachers can easily use the outside environment as an educational tool in their lessons.
Headteacher of Gillespie Primary School, Mark Owen said:
“I'm delighted at the impact the new nursery and reception outside area has had on our youngest children. Their learning through play is more exciting and creative and we are hopefully sowing the seeds for a new generation of gardeners through our blossoming kitchen garden!"
Funding for the playground was secured by Islington Council as part of the overall agreement with Arsenal Football Club on the development of the new Emirates stadium and surrounding area. Voluntary, community and faith sector organisations were invited to submit proposals for how they would like to see the money spent and the ‘Friends of Gillespie school - Home School Association’ were successful in their application.
Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Paula Belford said:
“It's fantastic to see children at Gillespie School really enjoying being outside, learning about wildlife and growing their own plants and food. I hope the kitchen garden in particular will encourage them to take an interest in healthy eating - something that Islington schools are really good at, with around 97 per cent of them having achieved Healthy Schools Status.
"Islington Council is improving all of its schools. The Building Schools for the Future programme is transforming the borough's secondaries and we're at the start of an investment programme in our primary schools, which will provide the first-class facilities that will help children to reach their potential."
The new green areas of the playground are also being used after school hours, by the Gardening Club. The sessions provide opportunities for parents and carers to get more involved in school activities through volunteering to help maintain the gardens. Many have grown seeds at home with their children and transplanted them in school garden.
Arsenal Football Club’s Head of Community, Alan Sefton said: "We’re delighted that the Section 106 funding from the construction of Emirates Stadium is being used towards such worthwhile local initiatives. Gillespie School is one of the closest schools to the stadium and we’re proud that this new innovative playground is going to enhance the education of many local children."
ENDS.
Page Last Updated: 16 June 2009