A growing success for all children

Buy photos » Every schoolchild is set to have a chance to grow their own food with horticulture due to become part of the National Curriculum, following a campaign by Garden Organic. 07.012.024.rug.jg2 (www.buyphotos247.com)

EVERY schoolchild is set to have a chance to grow their own food with horticulture due to become part of the National Curriculum from 2014.

It comes after a campaign by Ryton-based charity Garden Organic which was chosen in 2011 to lead the government-backed Food Growing in Schools Taskforce.

Some 25 organisations published a report last March which for the first time provided evidence of the benefits of giving children a chance to grow their own food.

It showed how food growing in schools could help pupils to achieve, build life and employment skills, and improve their health and wellbeing.

Myles Bremner, chief executive of Garden Organic, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see horticulture playing a key part in the design and technology curriculum.

“This will give pupils an opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables, which is a vital part of their wider food education and brings so many other benefits in terms of health, wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours.”

The charity has been supporting schools to grow their own food since it launched its Garden Organic for Schools project in 2000.

Mr Bremner added: “While it is wonderful to see that the importance of food growing in schools finally being recognised, more work still needs to be done in Key Stage 4 and beyond to ensure that young people are being encouraged to see horticulture as a viable career.”

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