start a growing club at your school - Carrickfergus in Bloom

The full participation of pupils should also be considered in all stages ofconsultation and decision making.Setting up the Growing Club, i.e. physically building the garden area, will takeseveral days of hard work, so advertise for willing volunteers to share theworkload. Carry out a simple skills and equipment audit amongst the staff,governors and parents to establish what tools and expertise you already have.Recruit help by:‣ holding a special assembly;‣ producing a flyer with an invitation for people to help out;‣ starting a Growing Club notice board;‣ advertising in the school newsletter to pupils and parents;‣ promoting the idea on the school web-site or to the local media.Advertising for support should enable you to establish a Growing Club team tohelp take the project forward and avoid all the responsibility being on theshoulders of just one person. This is important for future sustainability.Ensure the group includes pupils, teachers and, where possible, parents. Andremember Carrickfergus Borough Council is at hand should you require anyadvice or information.3.3 What support do you need?‣ Ensure that you have SMT/Governor commitment to the project.‣ Consider whether external organisations are needed to help you make theGrowing Club a reality.‣ You may wish to visit other local schools that have gardens or growingclubs and find out what lessons have they learned from the experience.‣ Go to the ‘Teacher Net’ web-site (www.teachernet.gov.uk) for support.Use the Growing Schools website for detailed information, curriculum linksand links for further information.‣ Determine the need for training and the level of external support requiredto make the Growing Club a success.‣ Ensure that the school's public liability insurance is in place and that itcovers your activities.‣ Contact your local Healthy Schools co-ordinator to find out what support isavailable in your area.