Case studies
Christchurch Community Primary School
Case study group: foundation, primary
Christchurch Community Primary School is an established primary school, located in the West End area of Rhyl. Many of the children do not have access to a secure child-orientated garden in which to play, read, or just enjoy the feel of plants and grass. It was decided, as part of a whole vision for the school quad area, that opportunities for learning could spill out of the classrooms into the surrounding outdoor spaces. By building links with the local community, early years teacher Vanessa Lloyd has been able to create a safe, stimulating haven for the children. Funding was provided by Brian Hubble from Education Xtra, Gethin Jones from Out of School Learning, and Pat Butters from ELWA / Llandrillo College. When local businesses heard what was going on in the garden they were happy to help out.
Two boats were donated from the Rhyl Sea Cadets, which formed the theme for the garden. Local builders were pleased to donate down-pipes and guttering that the children love. One activity they enjoy is finding a way to get a ball from one place to another using only the pipes and guttering. The pupils have adapted this activity to include coloured warm water (essential during the winter months!) and a duck. The children create channels to allow the water to flow and subsequently have to solve the problem of gradients, to allow the water to move and get the duck to its final destination.
The children have the opportunity to explore and use the garden throughout the year rain or shine; Wellingtons, waterproofs, hats and coats are at the ready whatever the weather. What better way to learn about waterproof clothing than to go out in the rain and stay dry? Washing baby clothes in the morning hanging them on the line and collecting the dry clothes in at the end of the day also provides them with hands-on experiences of the weather. The ongoing seasons provide a harvest of superb practical activities, only fully appreciated and experienced through the outdoor classroom.
The success of this garden and its continued development lies in the vision of the teachers and the children involved in the day-to-day use as an extension of the class based activities. It also stems from the confidence in finding a range of uses for reclaimed and recycled materials that may not have the wow factor, but, infused with the imagination of the children, makes the garden a happy place to discover, explore, create and just be...
