At Tyldesley High School, we are incredibly proud of the journey our students have taken in developing their love for growing and cooking their own produce.

What began as a small school garden project quickly blossomed into something much bigger. Staff member Emma decided to take on a school allotment. With the enthusiasm and dedication of our students, we started growing a variety of fruit, vegetables and plants right here on site. From planting seeds to harvesting fresh produce, students have been fully involved in every stage if the process (including getting our allotment fit for purpose). The best part has been taking our home-grown ingredients into the kitchen and cooking delicious dishes using the produce we nurtured ourselves-a truly rewarding farm-to-fork experience.

Spending time outdoors has been the heart of this initiative. We have consistently stressed the importance of fresh air, teamwork and hands on learning beyond the classroom. Gardening has provided our students at Tyldesley with valuable life skill, improved their wellbeing and provided a sense of responsibility, whilst encouraging patience and pride in their achievements.

Due to the success of our school garden, the project expanded into a larger allotment space, giving students even greater opportunities to grow a wider range of crops and develop their horticultural knowledge. The hard work and commitment of everyone involved at Tyldesley School has been recognised when we have become runner up in the CareTech competition winning £250 to spend further on our love of growing. A special mention to Emma and Sophie, who took on the role of leading this project with passion and commitment. Their encouragement, organisation and belief in the students have made this success possible.

We are extremely proud of all our students for their enthusiasm, teamwork and determination. Watching their confidence grow alongside the fruit and vegetables they’ve nurtured has been truly inspiring and this is just the beginning of our growing journey.