Healthy minds and bodies at All Saints

This is why staff and pupils at All Saints Junior School, in Matlock, take immense pride in their beautiful surroundings, abundant gardens and pioneering business initiative: All Saints All Fresh.

Teacher Jan Leybourne explains: “We have a fruit orchard, vegetable patch, berry garden and greenhouse, as well as a conservation area and wild flower meadow.

“Every pupil gets involved with planting the crops and flowers, maintaining the gardens and the harvesting – which they especially love.”

As well as igniting a passion for fresh produce and the great outdoors, the initiative also teaches children to develop a business mind.

“The children sell the produce we grow to family at the school gates as it comes into season,” said Jan. “Then we sell the bulk of the produce at the School Fate.”

Jan added how the experience teaches children about costing, selling and encourages them to think about how businesses operate.

“Head Teacher Caroline Newton is essential to the success of what we do here, though,” said Jan. “She is fantastic, passionate and recognises the importance of equipping our pupils with these life skills.”

Owing to the stunning gardens, the school has been given an Award for Excellence by Matlock in Bloom. The award will be presented to staff and children at the School Fate this Saturday.

So, if you haven’t seen All Saints’ impressive setting yet, then get along, buy some produce and support a fantastic initiative and a great school.

Do you have an inspiring story for the Matlock Mercury? Is your school taking part in a fun and exciting project? Let us know [email protected].