The Eco group was set up some twelve months ago with the idea of encouraging students to be more aware of their influence and actions on the environment in which we live. Initially, set up by a small group of Upper and Lower Sixth form students. They have managed to introduce a system for paper recycling within the school which relied on members of the lower school to empty them. The group felt they had some valid aims and wanted to engage and encourage students lower down the school to become more involved in environmental issues. As a result they have developed an eco garden by utilising an area of waste land behind the school theatre.

The main aims for the project are; to offer students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to develop skills and interests beyond those that they would experience during their normal educational experiences; to encourage and develop an interest in the food that they eat, its benefits and its origins; to offer an opportunity for students to gain valuable additional recreational exercise whilst contributing to the environment; to foster an interest in self-sufficiency; to reduce the school’s carbon footprint by placing less reliance on food that has to be transported to the school; to become a self-funding enterprise through the growing of fruit and vegetable for sale to the school canteen and staff and parents; and to encourage and develop relationships with the wider community.

Since the inception of the idea a great deal of progress has been made; links have been developed with the owners of a large garden centre; funds have been raised through running a stall at the GSPA Christmas Fair; donations have been received from a firm of solicitors and parents; awareness and support for the project has been raised amongst parents, local community and staff.

With a special thanks to Pochins Building Contractors, who have kindly cleared the area and built five raised beds and a composting area.