Kaden's Garden at St Luke's Primary helps school to third North West In Bloom award

Date published: 23 November 2019

A special garden created in memory of a pupil at St Luke’s CE Primary School, Heywood, has helped the school win a North West In Bloom School Award for the third year running.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/131095/heywood-in-bloom-golden-sweep-at-prestigious-rhs-north-west-in-bloom-awards

‘Kaden’s Garden’ was created in memory of five-year-old Kaden Kennedy, a pupil at St Luke’s who sadly died in 2015, a week before his sixth birthday, after battling a terminal illness.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98987/family-of-kaden-kennedy-want-to-see-plane-named-after-him-so-he-can-fly-high-and-be-remembered-forever-following-his-death

The once-abandoned land now houses an allotment section with raised beds and a poly tunnel, a pond, an outdoor classroom which a whole class can use. Doves, which live in a special shed in the garden, fly around the school grounds and return back to the garden throughout the day.

The garden is used by all year groups in school whether it be for science, geography, RE, English or even maths.  Every year group has a raised bed which they maintain. St Luke’s also has an active gardening club and the children grow vegetables and keep the garden tidy.

Head Teacher Kim Farrell said: “This section of school grounds had not been used for over 15 years and we decided to create a special garden for Kaden, in his memory.

“Our theme this year was bees and we painted the garden black and yellow and hung knitted bees in the garden and planted lots of pollinating plants to attract bees.”

The school has also recently made a link with Bamford Allotments, with year five visiting their allotment, to gain more expertise to help with their future growing.

The development of Kaden's garden has also been an asset to the community as it has improved the area.

Ms Farell added: “Many people comment how they enjoy walking past and seeing our developments and how beautiful it looks.”

The school is also in the process of applying for its Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning.

Ms Farell added: “Our eco team is very proactive to recycle, save energy and reduce waste. The Eco Committee is led by teacher Emma Nuttall and teaching assistant Liz Hughes.

“Last year we achieved our bronze and silver awards and we are aiming to fly the green flag this year.”