Why we all love digging in

Three organic allotments at Witts Hill have now been rented by the school and they have big plans for the future.

Teacher Richard Cosford said pupils aged 13 to 16 were involved with the project.

"We bring Year 9 pupils here as part of their curriculum and Years 10 and 11 as well.

"It seems to work well for everyone. They enjoy being out here and they get the chance to learn about how things grow," he said.

The course content covers:

• Preparation of land
• Sowing seeds and plants
• Harvesting crops
• Selling their produce to staff and parents
• Constructing a pond
• Creating a wildlife area
• Designing a themed garden area
• Learning about plants, growing conditions, soil etc

Each pupil proudly wears a special uniform that was sponsored by Southampton Airport and Richard hopes other local firms will come on board with funding for the project.

Mr Cosford admitted he had the feeling that some of the allotment owners were a little sceptical when the school first took on its plot.

However, even they have been impressed by the teenagers - and most are happy to pass on tips to the youngsters about producing the best crops.

"They were probably worried that they would be running around but they all work really hard when they are here."

For most of them it is the first time they have ever grown anything and there is a great sense of achievement when they dig up potatoes or harvest courgettes.

Teaching assistant Jenni Doney said: "They are finding out how vegetables grow and that they don't just appear in the supermarket.

"It's a valuable lesson."

Some of the youngsters who tend the allotment find traditional teaching in the classroom a challenge but being outdoors, digging and growing has given them a more positive outlook.

Grant Harvey, 15, enjoyed the experience.

"I prefer doing this to written work because I'm dyslexic. It's nice to see things growing," he said.

"It's great to be up here - I enjoy doing raking and that."

Mr Cosford explained that growing vegetables was only part of the experience for the pupils.

They learnt how to work together and the exercise helped them to concentrate when they went back to the classroom.

Already he has had several success.

One boy has gone on to become a landscape gardener, while the aptly-named Leon Budd, 15, enjoys it so much that his parents have got him his own allotment.

"My mum got it for me as a surprise - it's really great.

"I try to go there every day, it's really good fun. I'm growing marrows, tomato plants, sweetcorn, carrots and potatoes," he said.

The pupils who work at the allotment gain a qualification at the end of it and the school is hoping to link up with Hilliers so youngsters can go there and learn more. They have visited Kew Gardens and have gone further afield too.

"We recently took a group to Cornwall. We stayed in a rented cottage for four days and visited places like the Eden Project. The kids loved it," said Mr Cosford.

Part of one of the allotments is an area for garden design.

Back in the classroom they draw their designs and they can turn that into a reality up at the plot.

"At this time of year we don't have a lot going on as we won't be here during the school holidays.

"We are making preparations for when we return in September. We have been given a plastic greenhouse so we will be putting that up and propogating in there," he said.

At the prestigious Hampton Court Flower Show, Alton Infant School won a gold medal for its garden entitled Learning to Look After our World.

All the children helped to make a scarecrow, the stepping stones and all the labels for the garden.

Mr Cosford has high hopes for the future.

"It is tricky for us because we are not here a lot of the time. But already we've created a pond and a wildlife section.

"We will continue to grow vegetables too - the children can take them home if they want or take them back to school.

"I teach history and next year I am hoping to look at the whole dig for victory thing with them as well," he said.