Over the past few years, we have been expanding our outdoor facilities which has led to the development of an allotment and gardening area.  Students have access to: 

• a polytunnel which includes a planting area and beds for tomatoes and potatoes.  This is a great space for students to plant seeds and learn how they grow.  Last year this included planting small planters as gifts for the Barton Community and to sell at Endeavour’s Christmas Market. 

• raised vegetable beds which provide an opportunity for students to plant and care for a range of plants including salad leaves, cucumbers, carrots, onions, leeks, runner beans, courgettes and herbs. 

• a tool shed to help students learn how to safely store, access and use garden tools. 

• a compost area and water butt to promote the importance of recycling food waste and recycling rainwater. 

• a bug hotel, made by the students, where they can learn about insects they might find in the allotment. 

• Fruit trees donated by the Barton Community 

 

What are the aims of Horticulture sessions at Endeavour? 

Engagement in on-site work experience – with the aim of providing food for school cooking activities and the potential to expand this to community work experience 

Increase participation & peer interaction – while engaging in tasks within the allotment students are encouraged to share tools, wait their turn and help each other. 

To develop Functional Numeracy & Literacy skills – there are many opportunities for staff to incorporate numbers, shapes, size in the gardening tasks.  Students are also supported to follow visual and/or verbal instructions and to use their preferred method of communicate to answer questions, make requests and ask for help. 

Promoting positive Mental Health – to offer an activity that can be enjoyable and support student’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

Increase motor skills – many jobs in the allotment involve gross and fine motor skills including pushing the wheelbarrow, digging, carrying the watering can and using the hand fork or trowel. 

 

What we are working on at Endeavour: 

Horticulture links to Endeavour’s curriculum in the following ways: 

Social Skills – Engagement, Functional communication 

Independence – Work Experience, Practical skills, Community, Peer interaction 

Knowledge, Skills & Understanding – Functional Numeracy & Literacy, Science, Fine & Gross motor skills, Life skills related to food production. 

Wellbeing – Physical development, Healthy living, Coping with stress & anxiety, Developing coping strategies and supporting their own mental health & wellbeing. 

Working towards AQA Unit Awards and ASDAN Horticulture 

Rights Respecting Schools Award – engaging in these sessions links to many articles but particularly: 

6) I should be supported to live and grow 

23) If I have a disability, I have the right to special care and education 

24) I have the right to good quality health care, to clean water and good food 

29) I have the right to an education which develops my personality, respect for others' rights and the environment. 

31) I have the right to relax and play.