25 January 2010 Ministerial support for Growing Schools
More than 60 Growing Schools partners came to a reception at the House of Commons in December to celebrate the successes of Growing Schools and to hear about plans for the future. Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston, (who launched the Growing Schools garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in April 2008), kindly hosted the event. Diana Johnson MP, DCSF Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, praised the Growing Schools programme for its important contribution in supporting schools to provide stimulating and enjoyable learning-outside-the-classroom experiences for young people. She highlighted some key strengths - the website; strong partnerships, particularly the Development and Delivery Group; and the library of high quality resources. The Minister also highlighted the Growing Schools gardens in Birmingham and Eltham, and the inspiration and resource they provide for schools. Work is now progressing on the Growing Schools Garden award scheme whereby existing gardens - wherever they are found be it in schools, botanical gardens, local authority parks - can become Growing Schools Gardens. These sites will demonstrate how gardens can be used for active learning across the curriculum; and provide advice and training for schools. The first gardens will be announced in the next Growing Schools newsletter. For the full news article and to be taken to the website, click here | 
