Green-fingered pupils from Belle Vale Primary learn outdoors

Pupils from Belle Vale Primary School have taken the classroom outside after spending a morning learning about how to grow plants and vegetables at Liverpool’s iconic Palm House in Sefton Park.

In collaboration with Food for Thought (FTF), a “unique ‘not-for-profit’ healthy school meals caterer”, Year 5 and 6 pupils were taken on a guided tour of the impressive stunning building before delving deep in the undergrowth to examine the plants and vegetables plus the wildlife which inhabits the beautiful glass structure.

Jimmy Holland, a school grower for FTF, said: “I’ve been working with a group of pupils from Belle Vale Community Primary School over the past couple of months, together with Dan Barlow (teacher) and Claire Lydiat (learning mentor), to help them appreciate the outdoors more, learn some gardening techniques, and develop team-working skills.

“The purpose of the trip was to show the kids what can grow in Liverpool, in the right environment, and to introduce them to the Palm House, as it’s such a fantastic community facility right on our doorstep.”

The visit concluded with a quiz on what they’d learnt before each child received a certificate of achievement for work completed both in school and outdoors.

Food for Thought (Merseyside) Ltd is a company owned and managed by its partner schools with any surplus created being reinvested in local community schools.