Congleton
Background
In close proximity to our Davenshaw Mill site on Tommy’s Lane, Buglawton Primary School, Buxton Old Road is situated just five minutes’ walk away and serves the surrounding
community.
Buglawton Primary School is reasonably small with approximately 210 children aged four to eleven years on a rolling basis at any given time. Whilst Buglawton works to core and foundation subjects in their curriculum, this ambitious school also show a keen interest in the personal development of their pupils, teaching learning strategies promoting mindfulness.
The Project
The team at Buglawton had plans to breathe new life into their tired school garden.
Upholding their key focus on children’s personal development and with their mindfulness approach to learning, a garden with a diverse ecosystem was planned. The garden was to consist of various flowerbeds (containing bee-friendly plants), fruit and vegetables, seating areas, a bug hotel, water butt, greenhouse, shed and pond.
John Southworth would assist the school with building a pond and restoring an outdoor learning hut for the children.
The Aim
With the garden, young minds would enjoy the hands-on education on the ecosystem and the positive impact it has on their mental health. The pond would contribute to this, with fascinating topics for the children to explore, such as science habitats, food chains and life cycles.
And the hut? It would provide shelter for lessons during rainy and hot days!
The Results
This innovative school already knew what they were aiming for and had some firm plans in place for their big garden makeover.
Taking place during the Easter holidays in 2023, the children would enjoy this surprise when they returned. The learning hut was restored to its former glory with its new roof, providing
that much-needed shelter for the children and teaching staff during the elements. At the request of the school, the pond was left empty in preparation for the children and teaching staff to fill with water and plants. Watch this space for the completed project…
