At Watling View School our Horticulture provision supports our students in becoming confident, healthy, responsible, physically active and self-aware members of the community, who are able to work as independently as possible and to enjoy collaborating with others.

Through being outside in an environment which both stimulates and soothes all the senses we aim to foster feelings of calm and well-being which enable students to learn and grow. We encourage a sense of curiosity about the plants, insects and wildlife that inhabit the garden, enabling students to interact with them in tangible ways. We plant, nurture, grow, harvest, occasionally cook and frequently eat vegetables and fruit in the garden. Thus creating and cementing as far as possible an understanding of the links between these activities.

Horticulture is taught in discrete, timetabled lessons and during lunchtime gardening clubs. It is also often included in theme days and in assemblies e.g. Harvest Festival. Garden produce is used by classes during Food Technology and Cooking and is used in the Cafe run by Upper School, thus linking Horticulture with these subjects. The Sensory Garden also provides habitat for wildlife, including ‘mini beasts’ and is used as a resource for Science investigations and as a source of Art, Craft  and Sensory materials.

We regularly take part in the District in Bloom competition where we are able to showcase our garden environment.