Davidson’s Mains: a story of gentle transformation
by Marie-Amélie Viatte
I went back to school. I witnessed a story of gentle transformation emerging. I’d previously visited about 18 months before (read about that here), when that story was only a twinkle in the eyes of school staff. I revisited to witness how that twinkle in the eye of imagination has transformed into a new reality, like a seed sown on fertile ground that comes to germinate.
Not all seeds are born equal and they don’t all fall on fertile ground, but this one did. It’d been lovingly chosen and its fertile ground had been carefully prepared to receive it. Since it’s germinated, it’s been gently tended by a widening circle of hands drawn to its unexpected and welcome presence, to its beauty.
What am I talking about? The story of a primary school - Davidson’s Mains, in North Edinburgh - with a large playground whose potential is slowly being revealed. It’s becoming more than empty space for children to run around in and for adults to pass through. It’s becoming a mosaic of different spaces, new habitats for wildlife, niches for critters to hide in; a mosaic of varied colours, shapes, and interest. It’s growing into a tapestry of burgeoning life, inviting curiosity, wonder, and learning.
Seven raised beds have been built and planted with vegetables, herbs, and flowers. One raised bed per class year; by the end of primary school, every child will have had the chance to get involved with growing, harvesting, and cooking seven different vegetables: enough to make a delicious soup and plenty to stimulate the senses - and the brain cells!
Old tin drums have been saved from going to landfill and repurposed in jolly pollinator-friendly wildflower planters. Not just friendly to the bee and her friends, it’s a source of delight for those who slow down to notice a little as they pass by.
One section of the playground has been converted into an outdoor classroom inviting learning through play and connection with nature. It has its own gardening shed - see those tools neatly organised: very bijou! The envy of any gardener.
Perhaps the stars of the show are …
Henny Penny
Albird Einstein
Ivy
Pepper
Hei Hei
and Super Bawk
… the chickens!
Rescued from grimmer prospects and now the focus of much excitement and opportunities. Have you ever heard of chicken maths?!
How many eggs this week?
What’s the trend over the month?
What proportion of each colour?
Food growing is at the heart of this vision, so the playground is now the place to grow wonderful beans, carrots, onions, pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, peas, courgettes and more: the promise of delicious discoveries for all to enjoy.
So much value is being created in this transformed playground. Think of …
increasing biodiversity …..
appeal and beauty …..
enhanced well-being for the young and less young ….
There’s also a serious business of fun-based curriculum learning: a wealth of new and enticing possibilities.
Every new feature is the opportunity for every teacher, every age group, to explore the curriculum in real life - IRL! Learning about food and so much more.
A school is not an island - it’s the heart of a community. While this story of transformation is still in its early stages, the value it’s creating is already rippling out beyond the school gates. Picture this: the surplus vegetables were recently shared with the local church cafe and turned into a yummy lunch, which the school children enjoyed partaking in! They also had the opportunity to speak at the church service: the perfect chance to practice their public speaking skills, as they confidently talked of their work producing food in their playground. Imagine their pride!
The café has since asked if the children would produce a piece of artwork for them - maybe even using old vegetable seeds (no longer viable to grow). The wider community will get to enjoy that in due course.
And the life-nourishing ripples continue…
Well done to Annabel, Max and everyone else involved in this emerging transformation of Davidson’s Mains Primary School grounds.
Now, reader, have a think: what piece of land near you could be turned into a food-growing haven for humans and wider nature?
Author: Marie-Amélie Viatte
