RHS urges primary schools to get their grown-ups growing
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is today launching a nationwide initiative that will bring teachers, pupils and local adults together to develop school gardens.
Part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, ‘Get Your Grown-ups Growing’ will run in October, 
with primary schools across the country planning gardening events at which parents, grandparents and other adults can join the children and have fun in the garden. Registration is now open so interested parents should urge their child’s school to sign up for a free RHS pack, including how-to guides and activity ideas, as well as seeds, posters and stickers. Every school that takes part will have the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes including woodstone planters from Marshalls plc.
As the UK’s leading gardening charity, the RHS has been running its Campaign for School Gardening since 2007. Almost three million children have already benefited, learning to care for the wider environment and lead healthier lifestyles. But many schools are still without a garden, and those that do have them need the support of their local community to keep them growing.
Graham Johnson, School Facilities Manager at Neasdon Primary School in Hull, took part in a ‘Get Your Grown-ups Growing’ pilot scheme last year:
“When we first got involved, all we had was a bare patch of unused ground. With the support and the resources provided by the RHS and the time and effort put in by parents, grandparents and other locals we’ve been able to build a 15x10 foot greenhouse and several bat boxes. We are now growing our own wheat and barley and the children are really excited about tasting bread made using ingredients from their own school garden for the first time. It’s a useful tool for introducing children to healthy eating and teaching them about where their food comes from. I would encourage all primary schools and parents to get stuck in and have a go as it’s a great opportunity to share this experience with the children and they really appreciate having their families and friends involved.”
Gordon Seabright, Acting Director General, RHS, says: “Teachers involved in the Campaign for School Gardening, and our own research, tell us that gardening brings out the best in children, socially, emotionally and physically. It introduces them to the idea of growing their own food, caring for wildlife and learning outside the classroom.
“For many, school provides the only opportunity to get involved in gardening, and we want to make sure that as many schools as possible can create and maintain an exciting growing space. To do that, they need the support of their 
community and Get Your Grown-ups Growing is a great, fun way to bring in that support.”
The initiative is sponsored by Waitrose and supported by Dorset Cereals and Marshalls plc.
Mark Price, Waitrose Managing Director says:
“As a sponsor of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, Waitrose fully supports the Get Your Grown-ups Growing initiative. It’s vital that young people have a better understanding of where their food comes from and they can learn in a fun way. The Campaign is a wonderful hands-on initiative for children and older people in the community to gain a real ‘field to fork’ experience.”
Get Your Grown-ups Growing has also attracted the backing of TV garden guru Alan Titchmarsh, who says: “I got my first taste for gardening helping my grandfather on his allotment. A garden opens up an amazing experience for children as they discover new tastes, textures and sounds, and it’s vital we make sure that as many children as possible have the opportunity to enjoy that experience.”
To register or find out more, visit www.rhs.org.uk/gygg
About the Campaign for School Gardening
The RHS has actively involved over 11,500 schools across the UK in growing and gardening through the Campaign for School Gardening. Children are taught about plants and gardening while teachers are provided with resources and lesson plans to help the school make the most of their garden, regardless of its size. Information and advice for schools is provided online and is backed up by support from the RHS education team. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening
About the RHS
The RHS believes that gardening improves the quality of life and that everyone should have access to great garden experiences. As a charity the RHS helps to bring gardening into people's lives and support gardeners of all levels and abilities; whether they are expert horticulturists or children who are planting seeds for the very first time.
RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
About Waitrose
Waitrose has 228 branches across the UK, dedicated to offering quality, value and customer service. The retailer and its sister company, John Lewis, have taken the two top slots in the Which? Magazine Consumer Satisfaction Survey for the last four years and Waitrose has scooped more major wine awards than any other supermarket.
Co-owned entirely by the 69,000 'Partners' who work for the John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop. Waitrose is dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced, combined with high standards of customer service. (www.waitrose.com)
About Marshalls plc
Marshalls is the UK’s leading hard landscaping transformation company which has supplied some of the most prestigious landmarks in the UK with hard landscaping solutions since the 1890s. Marshalls provides the product ranges, design services, technical expertise and inspiration to transform gardens, drives and public and commercial landscapes.
About Dorset Cereals
Dorset Cereals make all its breakfast cereals at Poundbury in Dorset which is the unique village inspired and created by HRH The Prince of Wales. Mueslis, Granolas, Porridges, Tasty Fruit and Fibre, Tasty Low Fat Flakes, Chunky Slices and Cereal Bars are all made to recipes which are packed with goodness. Since 2006, Dorset Cereals has been awarded numerous Gold medals for taste, design and packaging which reflect the uncompromising dedication the Company has to making premium cereals. The Company was voted runner-up in Sainsbury’s Magazine’s 2010 Brand of the Decade. Dorset Cereals supports The Woodland Trust and has paid for 4,000 trees which will be planted by people across the UK in their local areas as part of the MOREwoods scheme. All Dorset Cereals’ packs are made with 100% recycled fibre and its cereals are Kosher and Vegetarian Society approved. For recipes, photos, competitions to win lovely stuff and news about simple pleasures go to www.dorsetcereals.co.uk.
