OUR Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Alcester has been recognised by leading agricultural education charity, LEAF Education, for its exemplary work in using food, farming and the countryside across its curriculum.
The school received the bronze level award for its commitment to using food production, farming and the countryside as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.
The school has embed food, farming and the environment into its learning through a range of initiatives, firstly linking up with Oversley Hill Farm and Forest where they met farmer Amy Bates and her animals, and then finding out what is growing in the fields local to them and understand better where food comes from.
In the past year, Our Lady’s has run a harvest festival, gardening competitions and teamed up with LEAF Education consultants, Brian Hainsworth and Elizabeth Lake, to do interactive workshops investigating the importance of good soil health in battling climate change.
Maggie Gourlay, head at Our Lady’s Catholic School, said:“We are so proud to be awarded the status of Demonstration School, it is a fitting endorsement for what we are also trying to achieve at Our Lady’s.
“As part of promoting a healthy lifestyle, our mission is to develop a love for outdoor learning, skills to grow produce and knowledge to make good food choices.
“This alliance with LEAF Education has helped enrich the children’s appreciation of local farming and respect for the environment.”
Carl Edwards from LEAF Education added:“We are delighted to launch this pioneering new programme of Demonstration Schools, focusing specifically on food production and farming education.
“Much evidence shows that providing young people with opportunities to learn about how their food is produced and where it comes from has huge positive impacts in terms of promoting health and well-being, raising awareness of issues around climate change, environmental protection, population growth and sustainability.”
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School will be launched as a LEAF Education Demonstration School on Friday, July 16.
Visit education.leafuk.org/for-schools/leaf-education-demo-schools for more information.
