Blackawton Pupils Gardening Club Recognised by RHS for Sharing Their Harvest with Local Community 

Staff and pupils at Blackawton Primary School are delighted that the school has achieved the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Level 4 Gardening Award. The school has now received an official RHS certificate to celebrate their achievement along with a selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds.

In order to secure the award the school had to prove how their gardening supports wildlife and how they use gardening to support the curriculum. Gardening can enrich the entire curriculum as it offers opportunities for pupils to learn about everything from science, literacy and maths, to geography, art and design. To achieve the Level 4 award the school also had to demonstrate that they inspire others to get growing by sharing plants or seeds. 

Blackawton Primary’s gardening club has been at the heart of this project, with children learning how to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers while developing an understanding of nature, sustainability and healthy eating. The garden has become an inspiring outdoor classroom where pupils work together, care for plants and wildlife, and take pride in seeing their efforts flourish.

One of the highlights for pupils has been sharing their harvest with the local community. From freshly picked produce to herbs and seasonal vegetables, the pupils have enjoyed giving back and helping others experience the benefits of locally grown food.

Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“We are incredibly proud of everyone involved in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing to develop our school garden, inspiring even more young gardeners and strengthening our connections with the community.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Many congratulations to everyone at Blackawton Primary School on this wonderful achievement. There are so many benefits to getting outside and learning how to grow and harvest your own food. Everyone at Education South West is very proud of the pupils who have worked so hard to share the fruits of their labour with the local community.”

Dartmouth Academy Secondary Open Mornings

Blackawton Primary School Hosts Inter‑Schools Cross Country Event 

Pupils from Education South West (ESW) primary schools came together at Blackawton Primary School recently for the ESW cross country series. The event brought together enthusiastic young runners from across the community, all eager to test their endurance, determination and competitive spirit. 

Taking place around the village, the route demanded focus and resilience. Uneven ground, varied terrain and tough sections pushed every participant to dig deep and they rose to the challenge with impressive confidence. 

The boys’ race delivered a gripping contest, with Rowan (East Allington) securing first place after a composed and determined run. Close behind were strong competitors from Blackawton, East Allington and Stoke Fleming.  

In the girls’ race, Lottie (Blackawton) claimed a superb victory, running with confidence and extending her lead throughout the course. Two talented runners from East Allington followed closely, taking second and third place with impressive performances.

While the top finishers shone, the event celebrated far more than podium places. Every child who took part demonstrated effort and a willingness to challenge themselves. 

The atmosphere was electric throughout, with staff, families and pupils lining the course to cheer on the runners. This strong sense of community spirit played a vital role in motivating the children and creating a memorable experience for all involved.

Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“The resilience and sportsmanship shown by every runner was truly inspiring. Events like this remind us how powerful sport can be in building confidence and community.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“We are incredibly proud of every participant. The cross country series gives children the chance to grow, compete and celebrate success together  and this event captured that perfectly.”

Blackawton School Celebrates Earth Day with Inspiring Whole-School Environmental Projects 

Blackawton Primary School marked Earth Day this term with a series of creative and hands-on activities designed to help pupils reflect on how they can care for the planet and make a positive environmental impact.

The very first Earth Day was held in 1970. Since then, the Earth Day Network has been mobilising over 1 billion people annually to help protect the planet.

Children from every class took part in practical learning experiences focused on sustainability, conservation and environmental awareness. The activities encouraged pupils to think about how small everyday actions can contribute to a healthier planet.

A standout contribution came from Class 1, who made a commitment to reduce waste by recycling fruit scraps through a classroom wormery. This initiative will help reduce landfill waste while producing nutrient-rich compost to support plant growth. The class also created a crafted model of the Earth as part of their learning.

Class 2 pupils embraced the theme of growing and sustainability by planting peas in the school garden. They are now looking forward to observing the plants grow and learning more about how to care for them over time.

Class 3 had a busy week, planting a range of vegetables with the aim of using their harvest later in the term. The class also welcomed a visit from a solar engineer, who introduced pupils to the principles of sustainable energy. Inspired by the session, children designed their own imaginative solar-powered toys.

In addition, Class 5 created a wildflower patch on the school field and planted their first seeds, supporting biodiversity and encouraging pollinators within the school grounds.

Music also played a role in the celebrations, with pupils rehearsing the school song “I am the Earth” in preparation for the upcoming Dart Music Festival.

The school’s Earth Day celebrations highlight its ongoing commitment to environmental education and inspiring pupils to become responsible global citizens.

Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“Earth Day has been a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn about sustainability in a meaningful and practical way. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to protecting the environment. These activities show that even small actions can make a real difference.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“It is fantastic to see Earth Day brought to life in such a meaningful and practical way at Blackawton School. These experiences help pupils understand that sustainability is not just a topic to learn about, but something they can actively take part in. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and the way they are embracing their role as future custodians of the planet.”