CHILDREN in Thurrock have been getting the hands-on experience of growing their own food through a school garden programme that has created new opportunities for outdoor learning and healthy eating.

The school gardens were officially launched at events at Quarry Hill Academy in Grays and Bonnygate Primary School in South Ockendon. The events were attended by councillors, local partners, community leaders and pupils, who came together to celebrate the benefits of food growing, outdoor learning and healthy eating.

The gardens were made possible through the Community Food Growing Programme, which was funded by Thurrock Council and delivered by Trust Links. The council invested £27,000 in the initiative, which created five school food-growing gardens across the borough and one community garden in South Ockendon, alongside training, educational activities and support to help ensure the spaces can be maintained sustainably in the future.

Throughout the programme, pupils took part in a range of activities, including food-growing consultations, planting sessions, gardening clubs and harvesting activities. They also learned about biodiversity, sustainability, healthy eating and where food comes from through practical outdoor learning.

The programme aimed to increase access to spaces for growing healthy food, strengthen connections with nature and create opportunities for learning, volunteering and community participation.

Guests at the Quarry Hill Academy launch included Cllr Milena Bingley, cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children's Services, and MP Jen Craft. As part of the event, a raspberry cane was planted to mark the official opening of the garden.

(Left to right) Cllr Varley, Cllr Cherry and Cllr Benson, chatting to a teacher at Bonnygate Primary School

Cllr Alan Benson, deputy leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Russell Cherry, cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children's Services, and Cllr Jay Daniel Varley attended the launch event at Bonnygate Primary School.

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The new growing spaces, designed to support both healthy food production and outdoor learning, include raised beds for fruit, vegetables and herbs, as well as greenhouses, compost bins and water butts.

Cllr Milena Bingley said: "Projects like this show that even small spaces can make a big difference. They give children the opportunity to learn outdoors, develop new skills and take pride in what they create, while supporting their health and wellbeing.

"The gardens will continue to provide opportunities for volunteering, skill sharing and stronger connections between schools, residents and community organisations."