An Ealing school has received £10,000 to fund food-growing space to keep pupils fit and healthy.
Berrymede Junior School, in Osborne Road, has been announced as the first of 10 Edible Playground flagship schools to receive support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund.
Edible Playgrounds, a programme led by Trees for Cities, will completely transform an area of their school grounds into a functional food-growing space.
Thanks to this support from players, the Edible Playground at Berrymede will have raised beds with herbs, salads, vegetables, fruit trees, an outdoor classroom, interpretation boards, composting facilities, irrigation and a greenhouse.
The construction is due to take place in the summer and Trees for Cities will provide a year of support to help Berrymede use their Edible Playground for growing and teaching.
The pupils will enjoy hands-on cooking lessons from Chefs Adopt a School and have access to food education programmes outside the school gate via charity School Food Matters Membership for Schools. School Food Matters will also support Berrymede to achieve their first Food for Life Award.
Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said: “With increasing concerns around food poverty and malnutrition, the next generation is in danger of losing touch with nature and not knowing why a healthy diet is important. Edible Playgrounds show children how rewarding it is to spend time outdoors and get them excited about where their food comes from."
Lubna Khan, headteacher at Berrymede Junior School, said: “We strive to provide a rich and stimulating learning environment, where our children thrive and subsequently leave, as well equipped young citizens ready for the next phase of their lives. We include in our provision, knowledge and understanding about how well-being, good health and fitness underpin success."
