STUDENTS from across the country came together at Rugby’s newest secondary school to work on a project which culminated in the creation of a community garden.
Houlton School welcomed over 170 students to take part in the celebrated annual World Class Schools Accreditation Day.
The event, held in collaboration with the World Class Schools charity and the Houlton area’s master developer Urban&Civic, saw pupils take on a project to be assessed against The World Class Schools Quality Mark (WCSQM).
At the event’s first physical meeting since the pandemic started, primary and secondary aged students worked across 11 project teams to design gardens, eco-friendly seating, murals, sculptures, and tree hangings for a community garden at the school.
Their task was to create innovative, attractive and environmentally friendly indoor and outdoor spaces which tied back into Houlton’s core values of innovation, aspiration and excellence.
Students were briefed in advance on their real-life project and given two weeks to prepare for their assessment on the day, when they were supported by staff and pupils from the school’s first ever cohort of Year 7 students.
Houlton housebuilders Lovell and Morris Homes donated core materials including planters, paint, brushes, chip board and nails for the students’ task.
Houlton School Vice Principal Chloe Buckenham said: “We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to take part in the World Class Schools event.
“Not only was this a fantastic opportunity for the pupils and something that they will cherish, but it was also an invaluable opportunity for Houlton School to be more involved with the organisation and provide young people with invaluable leadership experience.
“We were so grateful to Urban&Civic for the support and commitment to bringing this event to life. They not only helped connect us with the housebuilders who donated core materials and supported on the day, but they remained by our side throughout to ensure everything ran as smoothly as it could.”
Kyle Smith from Urban&Civic said: “Working collaboratively with our partners on community initiatives such as this one enables us to unlock many benefits for the young people of Houlton.
“It was a joy to see the benefit the students got from taking part in the World Class event, both from those who took part in the task teams and from the Houlton School pupils who supported those they’d only just met from other schools.
“The transformation of Houlton School’s community garden is nothing short of a masterpiece, and something we have no doubt will be enjoyed and celebrated for many years to come.”
Earl Patrick, Community Engagement Lead from Lovell, said: “The dedication the students illustrated on the day was second to none and what they’ve created for Houlton School is a real triumph.”
