Gardening Club at Harington

Pupils from Channing Senior School cross the road to work at our neighbouring educational charity, Harington.  Harington provides vocational training in horticulture and retail for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.  The training takes place in a wonderful green space with a 17th century walled garden, a greenhouse, polytunnels and vegetable plots. Channing students make use of the amazing facilities to learn more about plants, trees and natural vegetation.  

Aims

The aim is for students to learn new skills working outdoors and benefit from practical activities in a very different environment working with nature. They develop their knowledge of common trees and plants; how to compost; how to create wildlife friendly habitats; grow their own vegetables and prepare plants and natural decorations for Harington’s annual Christmas and Spring sales.  

Background

Channing has had a close relationship for some time with Harington and we wanted our students to experience this very different learning environment.

Resources

The club will make use of all the gardening resources available at Harington.

Impact

Students will benefit from the practical activities of working outdoors and learn to appreciate nature first hand.

Pupil Involvement

Around 7-8 Channing students take part in the sessions.

Frequency

This is a weekly activity lasting 2 hours.  It runs during the first half of the Autumn Term, stops during the winter months when the evenings are dark, and then restarts in the Spring Term.