Enabling Environments: Healthy Living - The bee’s knees

Walk beside Charlton Manor Primary School’s dining hall, through the large ornate iron gates, and you’ll discover the heart of this south-east London school – its Secret Garden.

Bees and chickens, cared for by the children, live in the garden surrounded by raised beds, fruit, herb and vegetable areas, a heated greenhouse and composting facilities. There are teaching and seating areas, a wildlife pond and even a bird hide with cameras. Head teacher Tim Baker is rightfully proud of the garden that was developed from a neglected area overgrown with brambles and nettles and occupied by disused cabins.

He was inspired to transform the grounds after becoming head 13 years ago and increasingly hearing about children eating unhealthily and not knowing where their food comes from. Many of the children attending Charlton Manor – half of whom are eligible for free school meals and 80 per cent living in low socio-economic postcodes – have limited opportunities to grow things and interact with nature at home. However, now all the school’s children, from nursery upwards, help to maintain the Secret Garden alongside the school gardener.