Leeds pupils get garden makeover fit for a Queen

Pupils at a Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre are hosting a day of celebration later this week to officially open their new sensory garden.

As well as opening their new garden, pupils and staff at John Jamieson School (East SILC) are holding a British Values Day to coincide with the Queen's public birthday, on Friday 10 June.

Media opportunity

When: Friday 10 June at 10.20am

Where: East SILC John Jamieson School

Members of the media are invited to attend the British Values Day at John Jamieson School, at which pupils and special guests will open a new sensory garden and a Commonwealth themed fashion show will also be held. Interviews and photo opportunities will be available.

Special horticultural guests have been invited to help the pupils open the new sensory garden. Tim Crowther and Graham Porter, presenters of Radio Leeds Sunday Gardening programme, will formally open the specially designed garden in which young people who attend the school have enjoyed planting a range of vegetables and flowers. The young people have also been using their home-grown vegetables as ingredients for cooking.

This new resource includes specially designed planters which are able to be used by pupils in wheelchairs. A centrepiece water fountain and other decorative features of the garden including plants were all kindly donated by The Rotary Club of Roundhay.

Some of the school’s older pupils will also be holding a Commonwealth-themed fashion show where they will be modelling recycled clothing as part of the British Values Day.

Diane Reynard, Principal at the East Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre said:

“We are very proud of our new sensory garden and are very excited to share it with everyone during our British Values Day celebrations. This new resource is specifically designed to enhance learning through a practical and sensory curriculum. Pupils will benefit from this on a range of different levels including those with the most complex needs through investigation, to our most able pupils in preparation for independence and working life.”

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children and families said:

“This event is not only a great opportunity to officially open the school’s new garden it’s also a lovely way to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday. This sensory garden will be a great asset to all the pupils at John Jamieson, not only will it be a place to learn and develop new skills, it will also become a place of sanctuary and stimulation for those pupils with complex needs.”