Growing Courageous Advocacy

Our school community are keen to make a difference within our school grounds as well as in our local community. The children are making plans to take action.

Many children told their teachers they would like a quiet, reflective space in the main playground. Somewhere to ponder, relax and to read. Year 6 are keen to upcycle the bricks in the little used pizza oven in order to make a meandering pathway along the stretch of grassy land adjacent to the Spinney. Year 1 children are going to gather pots and plant seedlings to create a scented flowery and rustling grassy environment, which will delight the senses as well as provide a home to insects. Finally, having been on their class trip to the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, Year 4 will return to school with beach litter and driftwood in order to upcycle and create wind chimes to add amongst the pots. Together they will create the reflection garden.

Meanwhile Year 5 children are concerned about the unsafe parking just outside our children’s gates – blocking safe entry to families at drop off and pick up times. They are creating leaflets and sporting hi-vis vests to stand by the gates, talk with parents and explain why it is unsafe and the alternative parking that is available to the parents.

Year 2 and 3 children have a stretch of raised flowerbeds outside their rooms. They are keen to garden, weed, plant and nurture, these beds throughout the year so that everyone who passes by can enjoy their scent, whilst insects and minibeasts can find new homes and food to encourage a stronger eco-system in our playground.

Reflection Garden ideas: