Dovenby school transforms wasteland into sensory garden

The idea started 7 years ago when headteacher, Julia Fish, was interviewed for the role and asked 'how would you improve an already outstanding school'. Julia discussed the land at the side of the school, which was a wasteland with overgrown bushes and the remains of an old pond there.  

The development started just before the COVID-19 pandemic when parents helped the school clear some space to make it useable over summer. Once the pandemic hit, this did not stop the school, instead it pushed them to develop it further so they could use the space as one of their bubbles.

The school tried to get the community involved to see if anyone wanted to help, and applied for a grant. MSport in Cockermouth allowed the school to do a fun run on their track and they raised £4,000 to go towards the development.

Local businesses got involved and the school received grants through the Allerdale GDF Community partnership, and received help from the Rotary Club, neighbours, parents and other groups.

The whole process has taken over a year from the beginning to the grand opening of the garden. The children were heavily involved in the process and decided on different areas of the garden, including a stage, musical instruments, forest area, swing area, herb garden and bird boxes.

The children enjoying the new garden (Image: Bridekirk Dovenby School)

Julia said: "We have used it as much as possible, the children have grown with the garden as it was being made, and have given ideas through development. They couldn’t wait to get out and try it, different groups use the area at lunch time everyday."

"They have been very enthusiastic about getting out, and they love to build in the den area and climb. They love the free creation and space it has given them. The teachers over the summer will be going out in lesson time and using as an extra teaching space, so we can have learning beyond the classroom, and training is being delivered about how we can use the space better."

The garden was officially opened last week at a grand ceremony where visitors including parents came down to watch the children from each class spoke about their favourite parts. It was opened by 90-year-old Arthur Waterhouse, alongside Sue Waterhouse, who both helped during the building process.

Julia said: “It’s a real achievement at the end of a long period time, and there is real satisfaction in what we have achieved. It is exciting because it's just the start and now we can see how the staff engage with it, how we can get children out and about, and how we can enhance learning further so they aren’t stuck in the classroom."