London Walk Boosts Harborough Schools’ Sensory Garden Appeal

Staff and governors have trekked 50 kilometres around London to boost an appeal to create sensory gardens at two Harborough schools.

They were accompanied by the school mascots from Great Bowden Primary Academy and Ridgeway Primary Academy, as they took in many of the capital’s landmarks.

Sponsorship from the walk has helped the total raised so far hit £3,000, with more fundraisers planned to reach the £5,000 target.

The fundraising team during the walk

Executive Headteacher at both schools, Sarah Bishop, said, “We have long held a desire to create a sensory garden at both schools. A space where children can feel grounded, calm and interact with nature. Around 1 in 6 of our children require extra support, a figure which has increased since the pandemic. While we are charged with ensuring a child’s academic success we are also determined to ensure their wellbeing.

“Our sensory gardens will be used by the whole of both schools, creating outdoor learning spaces as well as areas in which we can practice mindfulness. We want our children to develop a love for the outdoors, to grow plants from seeds and take pride in their achievements.”

The fundraising team during the walk

The fundraiser ties into a community challenge with both schools, where pupils combined efforts to walk the distance from Lands’ End to John o’ Groats.

The children also successfully smashed this challenge in the Spring term, receiving sponsorship for their efforts which has put towards the overall amount raised.

To find out more, or to sponsor the children and staff, please visit https://gofund.me/e81493cb

Alternatively, if you work for, or own, a local business and would like to get involved, either though sponsorship, donations or an offer of materials and labour to help build the gardens, please do contact Libby Harris via lharris@rpa.learnat.uk