Extra curricular Project Eco Club 2013 Started as an empty Solar Dome & a small group of Year 7 pupils – the eco club. Now it is developing into a huge project that is going to be our fantastic ‘Eco Garden’

We inherited a Small Raised bed & some free packets of seeds. Grown so far: Variety of herbs Carrots Corn on the cob Peas Tomatoes Leeks Onion Rhubarb

Registered with the Royal Horticultural Society Level 4 Lesson plans, mentoring, pupils carrying out advanced skills; construction, propagation Level 5 Celebrating with the wider community Level 1 – 5 Level 1 receive packs of 9 types of seeds Level 2 receive a guide book for growing Level 3 * (we are here) Examples of pupils work in more than one curriculum area.

What could we do inside the dome to increase the use & benefit the whole school? Wrote to local garden centres. Through B&Q, Sue Ainger was introduced, she is an expert in this field and was willing to help with ideas and planning. Applied for funding through West Wirral constituency – awarded £1000. In the Dome We decided to create a central feature of seasonal flowers and hopefully some exotic species later on. We are currently growing around 100 bulbs. Use it as a propagation area for new plants.

The eco club at work.

Planting seasonal bulbs The girls have already learnt many new skills.

Growing flowers from seed

The parents & friends of Upton are supporting us with funding.

Jan 2014, The Project got bigger!! The initial Aims grew. Path ways around the dome & veering off it Three raised beds Seating Archways for climbers Attracting wildlife into an edible landscape Bog garden Vibrant, living community To enhance learning across all areas of the curriculum To have an outdoor space for relaxation Introduce a stumpery An Eco Garden, nothing artificial at all!

This is what has been happening. Feb 2014

March 2014

Work in progress A willow structure made from willow cuttings cuttings Edible hedges to attract wildlife

Stumpery A stumpery is a garden feature made from parts of dead trees. The pieces are arranged artistically and plants are encourage to grow in them. They provide a feature for several types of wildlife. This is our starting point

Hillock Stompery Hillock. This will be grassed over and made more comfortable!

Longer term plans The ‘eco club’ will continue The site will also be maintained by 6 th form enrichment group The enrichment group will host events. The site will be used as an outdoor classroom Local community groups will be invited in to experience a learning journey. The Journey ‘ Upton Hall’s Rosary Walk’ The journey will take you on a passage steeped with history. From old to new. Scientific, environmental and spiritual trail. The Rosary walk in our beautiful grounds will include the eco garden, the grave yard and finish in the Mary Garden for spiritual reflection.

Recent News Headlines promote food-growing culture in Britain Climate change report: five key points The world faces threat to food supply, conflicts over water rights and growing inequality. Plant fruit trees on housing estates and vegetable patches in schools to address 'nutrition recession', party says.