Students pilot scheme takes off

A PARTNERSHIP pilot between Sidmouth Primary School and Sidmouth College, which took off earlier this year, has been rewarded with a �2,075 grant.

The funding came from the Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund after organisers were impressed by a green fingered initiative.

The primary school teamed up with the college to launch a ‘Growing Together’ project aiming to provide an environment where pupils could experience the benefit of working alongside one other by planting and cultivating seeds.

This was supported by Sidmouth in Bloom and initially received a grant of �450 from the Keith Owen Fund.

The pilot scheme proved so successful that primary school headteacher Paul Walker and inclusion manager Ann Jones were encouraged to expand the scheme.

It will be managed by community gardening leader Peter Scott who aims to help pupils relate to one another, and learn about responsibility, with a social gardening club.

The Reverend Handel Bennett, chairman of the Keith Owen Fund, said: “We congratulate Sidmouth Primary School, Sidmouth College, Sidmouth in Bloom, and volunteers, who developed the Growing Together pilot scheme into a very valuable resource. I am convinced the community will benefit greatly from the efforts of all concerned.”

Application forms for Keith Owen Fund funding are available on-line at www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk.