Children are set to benefit after a Watford school was gifted £5,000 for the creation of an allotment.

Watford Borough Council has donated the money via its Neighbourhood Grant scheme to Beechfield School in Gammons Lane.

The allotment will be used to teach pupils about growing different types of food and how to prepare healthy meals.

A total of 25% of the school’s children are also eligible for pupil premium – government funding to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England.

The aim of the allotment is to benefit many of the children who live in flats and homes without outdoor spaces.

Watford Observer: Mayor Peter Taylor and deputy mayor Aga Dychton with Beechfield School children. Mayor Peter Taylor and deputy mayor Aga Dychton with Beechfield School children. (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Gillian Jackson, the school’s headteacher, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded funding for this project and are excited to offer our students, and our community, an opportunity to learn about healthy eating, food production and sustainability in an interactive and hands-on way.”

The council believes the project will also have an indirect impact on the community by promoting life-long healthy lifestyle habits and will hopefully reduce the need for local health services in the future.

Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The allotment at Beechfield School will serve as a vibrant and inclusive space for the community, providing not only an opportunity for children to learn about growing food sustainably and preparing healthy meals, but also promoting long-term healthy lifestyle habits.”

Watford Observer: The creation of the allotment will be used to help teach the children about growing different types of food. The creation of the allotment will be used to help teach the children about growing different types of food. (Image: Watford Borough Council)

The allotment help the school's community of 400 pupils, their families, and the hearing-impaired group 'Little Chicks', who use the school's pastoral bungalow on a Tuesday.

Beechfield School also plans to open the pastoral centre after school for families who need support and have previously worked closely with Watford Women's Centre.

The next round of funding for the Neighbourhood Grant will be open for applications again in autumn 2023, however, you can email NCIL@watford.gov.uk if you want to find out more in advance.

Recently, the council donated £19,383 via its Neighbourhood Grant Scheme to the arts venue The Pump House after it announced it may have to close if the roof could not be repaired.