Greenfingered grant for Penn School (From Bucks Free Press)

Greenfingered grant for Penn School

5:30pm Saturday 5th February 2011 in News By Rebecca Cain

PUPILS at a school in Penn are enjoying a £5,000 grant which has given them a new horticulture department and garden club.

Wycombe MP Steve Baker visited Penn School last Friday with Fiona Dempsey, head of South East Region Big Lottery to see how the money had been spent.

The school received the grant from The Big Lottery Fund, Awards For All in March 2010 and has been created by Philippa Worley who is specialist teacher of students with special needs.

There is a staging and irrigation system, a shed, traditional market barrow and display stands and cash register with raised beds, waters butts and a variety of tools and gloves and aprons for each student.

This summer, the students aim to sell home grown flowers and vegetables to staff, the community, friends and families.

Students at the school are aged between 11 and 19 and have varied Language and communication difficulties including, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, profound hearing impairment, dyslexia and behavioural difficulties.

They will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour and encouraged to work within a collaborative group where they can develop problem solving skills through hands on experience and learn practical skills whilst enjoying the activity.