While the seeds were germinating, pupils got crafty using timber donated from a local builder’s merchants to make a wooden planter and filled it with compost.
Once the seeds began sprouting, they were transferred into the pumpkin patch and were cared for by staff and pupils.
By the end of the summer term the plants had not grown too much. However, upon returning in the Autumn term, pupils were delighted to discover a thriving pumpkin patch and were able to begin their harvest right away!
What did you do and how did you involve the whole school?
One of the pumpkins we harvested was huge! One of the children suggested this would be great for a game of guess the weight. So, we decided to make it a game and sell raffle tickets to be in with a chance of winning the biggest pumpkin the school had grown. The children sold raffle tickets across the whole school for £1 a strip. Funds raised went into supporting further development of our food growing.
How and why did you decide on this target?
We decided we wanted to do something a little different from our normal growing of vegetables in our allotment. We chose to do the pumpkin idea as this would be something fun that families can do together, while raising money to continue to support the growing of produce in our allotment.
How has the project impacted on your school and your community?
The children were all very excited to see the pumpkins growing and being in with a chance of winning the pumpkins or guessing the correct weight. The competition winners were so excited to take the pumpkins home. The pumpkins gave families the opportunity to spend time together carving them or cooking with them.
How did you celebrate success and what are your next steps?
We shared pictures of the children with their pumpkins, as well as thanking the parents for helping the school raise £75 to go back buying seeds/plants for our outdoor area to allow us to continue to produce many products.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about this project?
The children have already asked to plant pumpkin seeds again and have shared different ideas as to what we could do with them next year!
I was so excited to win the heaviest pumpkin that I couldn't stop smiling. I carved it with my Mum and we made a funny face in it!
Sophia Class 6
This was such a great opportunity for the children to see how they could raise money for their school by coming up with an idea that would provide the pupils and families with a fun activity to do together.
Mrs Cumberlidge Teacher
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