Children at a Barrhead primary school are laying the groundwork for an exciting new gardening project. 

Pupils from St John’s Primary’s weekly gardening club will be just some of the beneficiaries from a new scheme which will see a community allotment built at the school. 

The project, which was one of the five which received financial backing at the Barrhead Housing Association community funding event in March, will run in conjunction with Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) and Neilston Development Trust.

Plans kicked off last week with an open afternoon and information sessions with members of the YES team presenting their plans. 

Acting principal teacher Katrina Flaherty said: “We’re looking forward to the project getting started.

“It really is a fantastic opportunity for the whole school community to learn and develop together. 

“The project will provide the children, parents, carers and local community groups with access to our allotment area, providing opportunities for gardening and cooking workshops. 

“Our plan is to create a sustainable green space, that the whole school community can access throughout the entire year.”

In the space, the school is hoping to replicate its existing gardening space which is used by the weekly group. 

They will also develop an outdoor classroom and poly tunnel, as well planting vegetable seeds, with the possibility of a pumpkin patch being built. 

Organisers will also hold sessions within the school. 

Lessons on preparing ground for sowing planting, as well as how to plant these seeds and tending to them, will be held.

The new St John’s allotment will also allow the school to tie in various subjects. 

Alongside science classes on soil, pest control, recycling and pollination, cookery classes will give parents and children the opportunity to learn about food from ground to table. 

The community allotment area will not just be open to parents. 
St John’s and the other organisers are extremely keen to include the wider community in this project to ensure it’s sustainability, especially through the summer months when schools are on holiday. 

For more information visit https://bit.ly/2Ijr3kZ.