Everything in the garden is lovely at St Mary s Church of England Junior School, Hornsey. The school has been developing its pond garden, wild area and raised beds for a number of years and has plans involving the whole school community. The flower beds

Everything in the garden is lovely at St Mary's Church of England Junior School, Hornsey. The school has been developing its pond garden, wild area and raised beds for a number of years and has plans involving the whole school community.

The flower beds at the front of the school are tended by Mr Pearman, our retired caretaker.

Children garden every week with Mrs Liney, a retired teacher, growing vegetables which are prepared and served by our school cook. Two or three times a year the school holds Gardening Days when parents, governors, children and staff can really get things into shape.

Last year the Parent School Association funded the "outdoor classroom" - rustic benches shaded by a pergola especially popular for story time on sunny afternoons.

Soon, we shall be repainting the plant tubs, garden seats and fencing.

Further ahead, we will be planting a copse in a more out of the way corner with the help of the plants donated by the Woodland Trust. So perhaps children helping with this project will eventually bring their own children and see a bit of woodland they had a hand in creating.

Children lead increasingly indoor lives, surrounded by TV and video. Many have no garden at home. Tending a garden is a great way to learn patience, persistence and co-operation as well as lots of science.

The next Gardening Day is this Saturday, May 19, when we hope anyone with a connection to the school and an hour or two to spare will come along and help get our garden ready for a blooming good summer.

Submitted by Hilary Trenam

St Marys Church of England Junior School, Hornsey