ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLSandy Lane, Doncaster. DN4 5EP

Tel: 01302 369143 Fax: 01302 739413

Email: admin@stpeter.doncaster.sch.ukWebsite: www.stpeterdoncaster.co.uk

14th May 2019

Dear Steve and Katie,

I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you for the work you have been doing with us at St. Peter’s at our We Can Grow breakfast club.

We first heard of you through the Expect Youth presentation at the head’s briefing in Spring and as our outdoor provision is something we would like to invest in as a school decided to contact you. I am so glad that we did.

The resources which you have provided for us are such high quality to say nothing of your expertise and the engagement levels of the pupils. It is really refreshing to see that the club is the best attended at school with 26 regular pupils accessing your provision. Each of these pupils has expressed their excitement around being able to plant, nurture and grow their own food. The range of learning opportunities which you offer, incorporating stories and making curriculum links through fraction actions as well as the expected science opportunities for learning have already had impact. In addition your work enables our older pupils to lead and nurture their younger school mates as well as offering collaborative opportunities for all pupils which builds social skills. One of our children who finds collaboration challenging has benefited significantly from this and is beginning to develop stronger friendships. The club consolidates so much of the elements of the national curriculum for science but also teaches the children about sustainability and healthy living. Likewise, one of our very young pupils which is an elective mute has developed her confidence through attendance at the club, particularly with her communication with adults.

Parents have commented to on the manner in which the club has affected their children. They have stated that the children have really taken ownership of their plants and observe them daily; one pupil went so far as to ask for a miniature greenhouse as an Easter present from his grandparents having been inspired by your club. Similarly, one of our year 1 pupils parent reports how she took a notebook around her grandma’s garden and was able to draw and label all the plants. The enthusiasm for gardening in general has exploded with our pupils and is spilling over into family life with one family planting sunflowers to have a race as to which is the tallest.

In addition, I wanted to thank you for the purposeful but wonderful improvement you have made to our school grounds with the raised beds and bean teepees. Not only are the very attractive but they are a great source of interest at every break and before school. I am looking forward to seeing how the area develops. There garden space was commented on by governors when they came for a meeting at the school and they have expressed how supportive they would be of you continuing your work with us over the next few years so that we are able to build knowledge, skills and understanding of our environment with all our pupils.

Finally, may I say that the concept of your work which focuses on sustainability and developing a real understanding of nature and how to care for our environment differs in many ways to other outdoor provision enhancements which are offered. It is a unique concept and one which we whole heartedly support having seen the growing and sustainable impact it has on our pupils.

On behalf of all of us in the St. Peter’s community, thank you for all your hard work.

Kind regards,

Mrs S. Groarke,

Head teacher

Headteacher: Mrs S Groarke Deputy Headteacher: Mrs C Young