Education
The Education Group was formed in 2005 and offers support to schools undertaking garden projects. This support takes the form of visits to schools, grants of money (up to £350 per school) and advice leaflets covering a wide range of topics.
In recent years there has been increasing emphasis on outdoor education and healthy eating in the school curriculum. Initiatives like Forest School, the Healthy Schools Awards, the Year of Food and Farming(2007/8) and much media interest in school meals reinforce this. Many schools are now involved in developing garden and wildlife areas and many run garden clubs. Children are thus becoming increasingly aware of the environment, the growing of plants for food and pleasure, the sensory impact of plants and how they support wildlife.
The Education Group has been able to help increasing numbers of schools (12 in 2006, 20 in 2007 and 7 so far in 2008) and these encompass a wide age range and type of school.