College students design & build primary school garden

A local primary school has opened an impressive sensory garden designed and built by Canterbury College students.

A full-scale ceramic tree with wind chime leaves, beautiful flower beds and colourful murals are all features of the new garden at Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary School, created by students studying Art & Design and Engineering.

They transformed the former storage area into the wildly imaginative outdoor space over the course of a year. It was finally unveiled to Bridge and Patrixbourne pupils at a special ceremony on Tuesday, 29 November.

The ceramic tree, complete with overhanging chiming leaves, is the garden’s centre piece. The sculpted bark exterior, which features detailed woodland creatures, was made by art students. The steel frame interior was made by Engineering students. It was erected by Construction staff and students.

The school’s pupils, all aged five and six, and their parents came to Canterbury College to help craft it, under the tutelage of College students. Two of the pupils involved untied the ceremonial bow from the tree at the grand unveiling. The children were then took part in a chocolate coin hunt in the new area.

Bridge and Patrixbourne’s Deputy headteacher Stella Byrne described the garden as fantastic. She continued: “It’s opened up a whole area of the school that was never used before. It’s the first time the pupils have been out here.”

A group of Canterbury College’s Level 1 BTEC Art and Design students went along to see the youngsters enjoying their work. Student Jade King, 17, said: “It’s nice to see how excited they are. It’s given me a real sense of achievement. It’s incredible how it turned out.”

The students’ work was praised by Canterbury College’s Head of Creative Arts, Mark Howland. Mark, who has a son at the school, said: “The garden project stemmed from a conversation in the playground about Canterbury College’s involvement in community projects. Originally, we were just going to design some murals but it turned into something much bigger and exciting for our students and their pupils.”

The College’s Director of Further Education and Quality, Garry Costain, was also at the ceremony. He said: “Working on the tree gave pleasure to a large number of people. The end product is something that will endure and continue to give pleasure to all who use the garden.”

To find out more about Canterbury College’s Art & Design and Engineering & Construction courses, go to canterburycollege.ac.uk/art or canterburycollege.ac.uk/construction.