Resources for primary school teachers visiting Horticulture Units and Garden Centres.

Background

NFU Members who were involved in horticulture asked us to look at the curriculum value of visits to horticulture nurseries. Helen Strange, a teacher from Crowcroft Park Primary School, Manchester, agreed to explore the curriculum opportunities that could be obtained from taking her class of 7 year olds on visits to two different types of horticulture nurseries. Additionally, Hannah Roberts, a teacher at the school and FACE Regional Education Co-ordinator for the North West Region, was able to work with Helen throughout the research.

We hoped that this research would show us how a class visit to a horticulture nursery could -

• enable children to achieve a host of National Curriculum attainment targets across many subjects
• help children understand more about growing ornamental plants, shrubs and trees
• give children an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of plants, shrubs and trees

We are very pleased to report that all our research findings quite clearly indicate that primary school teachers will find visits to a horticulture nursery enjoyable and interesting. They can greatly enrich the learning experience of children. Furthermore, lessons planned around these visits allow the achievement of a wide range of learning targets across all National Curriculum subjects.

Through these materials we share our research with other primary teachers and we hope it encourages them to take their class on a visit to a horticulture nursery.