Winner: Walbottle Village Primary School Parents, children and friends of Walbottle Village Primary School came together last year to create a science garden. The garden has a pond, log piles for insects and an areas for wildflowers. Children have planned plants and flowers to attract bees, birds and butterflies and they have also created bird boxes, hedgehog boxes and an observation area. The project has now led to a gardening club being set up for children at the school so that children can grow fruit, vegetables and flowers with links from the project to the National Curriculum. Teachers at the school said: "We have used the project as one of our `talk homeworks', so we have had parents and children alike being involved, discussing plans and ideas. "It has been wonderful putting the project together because it really has been a whole school community effort." --------------------------------------------------------- Runner up: Portobello Primary School Portobello Primary School's Kitchen Garden Project began in 2005 as part of a single class's science lesson, but has since grown to be much bigger. The project was started by Year One teacher Margaret Alton, but expanded to take in the whole school when Portobello got a £250 got a grant from Alan Titchmarsh's Gardens for Schools charity. A bumper harvest came just in time for the furore over Jamie Oliver's school dinners campaign, and the school cook used the children's produce in their lunches. Parents have been invited into school to see the children's produce used in cooking, and Alan Titchmarsh has written back to commend the school on their efforts. Headteacher Angela Charlton said: "We feel we have just begun to touch on the benefits of this project. The children got so much out of taking part and we would like to continue to build on its success. "I set out to ensure that every child enjoyed coming to school and I think we have succeeded. Our Kitchen Garden project hopefully will continue to grow." --------------------------------------------------------- Runner up: Belsay First School Belsay First School's wildlife area began with a grant of £1,500 from the Widdrington Trust and a donation from a school governor. The Northumberland school enlisted the support of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust for help in making pathways, cutting back vegetation and constructing a seating area. Since then, children have worked with art adviser Tony Murray and planted vegetables to support the school's drive towards Healthy Schools status. A gardening club will start at the school in September as part of the Ponteland Partnership Full Service Extended Schools Initiative. Headteacher Christine Corbett said: "Our wildlife area is providing a valuable habitat for plants and animals, but also has enormous potential for developing young people's awareness of the environment around them through the use of our outdoor classroom. | 
Northumberland