Primary school can grow its own, with help from Walsall College

Carpentry students provide polytunnel for youngsters

Snacks served up at a Black Country primary school will be homegrown from now on, thanks to a special donation from Walsall College students.

Level 3 carpentry students have built a polytunnel for pupils at St Patricks Catholic Primary School to inspire them to learn more about growing their own and cutting down on food waste.

The 3.4m by 2m polytunnel was built with scrap pieces of wood from a range of woodwork projects.  These included timber offcuts and pre-used kitchen worktops.

It features a polyethylene semi-circular roof to help incoming sunrays warm the soil for the plants the students will start growing in September.

Barry Hill, Curriculum Manager at the College said: “This has been a rewarding experience for the students and staff involved, particularly as the end of the project was delayed by lockdown.  Their patience has paid off.  The polytunnel is a magnificent addition to the school’s outdoor recreation area.”

He continued: “Using resources creatively, reducing waste and creating a lasting community impression are important values that our construction students are encouraged to upload.  We’re very happy that this has been achieved and hope that as these learners now progress into employment, they will continue working in a similarly enterprising and environmentally conscious way.”

It is hoped that parents will also be join their children at the school in attending community-based workshops and classes about healthy eating and other topics at the school.