UK schools to save British fruit
Schools across the UK are transforming their grounds by planting traditional orchards in a bid to increase the numbers of these endangered habitats, as part of the new programme, ’Fruit-Full Schools’.
The Fruit-Full Schools website will provide schools with all the necessary information required to use their grounds to design, grow and maintain their own traditional orchards. This includes downloadable information such as step-by-step growing guides, fruity fact sheets, top tips, case studies and real-time learning from participating schools.
Since the 1950s, England has lost over 60% of its orchards and, with 69% of apples being imported from other countries, traditional orchards are being lost at an alarming rate. Fruit-Full Schools is a programme designed by Learning through Landscapes- the national charity working to ensure that every child benefits from outdoor learning and play. The programme aims to stimulate learning about local fruit varieties and the biodiversity benefits of our endangered orchard habitats.
The programme, launched in 50 secondary schools in April 2010, will enable young people to revive some of the long-forgotten local varieties of fruit within their school and neighbouring community.
In order to share learning from ’The Core’ group of pupils in each school as widely as possible, Learning through Landscapes is now encouraging all schools across the UK to participate. The resources and activities available will help develop children’s awareness of the importance of local produce, sustainability and community engagement.
Members of ’The Core’ in 50 schools have so far been involved in apple tasting sessions, orchard visits, local food discussions and have worked on activities related to food miles, climate change, harvesting, farming and the importance of local communities. Pupils have researched their local heritage varieties and chosen which they would like to graft, plant, eat and cook, including memorably named varieties such as Knobby Russet, Peasgood’s Nonesuch and Slack me Girdle! Participating schools are also planning community events to celebrate Apple Day on October 21st.
Glebe School in Bromley,London is one of the 50 Fruit-full Schools taking part in the project and now starting work to establish their own school community apple orchard. Martin Crabbe, teacher at the school observes.....
’’The Fruit-full Schools project has already had a great impact on the students. Whether its bobbing for apples or tasting different varieties of damson fruits picked from the tree in a local commercial orchard they have really enjoyed getting involved in fun, real world learning."
"We’ve looked at food miles, supply chains and the impact of climate change and they’ve been amazed by the sheer number of local varieties. Its been a brilliant way of rousing their curiosity about Bromley’s food history and what makes this part of London so distinct."
"I’ve also seen pupils who are sometimes difficult to engage in classroom study really coming out of themselves during orchard visits and the other hands-on activities. I’m really glad that we’ve got involved and recommend the project resources to everyone."
The ’Fruit-Full Schools’ programme has been developed by Learning through Landscapes in partnership with orchard experts Garden Organic and Common Ground. The project aims to enable tens of thousands of children across the UK to establish and maintain traditional fruit orchards within their school grounds in partnership with their local communities.
Fruit-Full Schools is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food scheme, the City Bridge Trust, and by the Garfield Weston and John Spedan Lewis Foundations.
