Harvest of healthy kids at Brandlehow Primary

5:57pm Sunday 26th October 2008

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It’s harvest festival and kids at Brandlehow Primary have been busy. They’ve spent all year growing cabbages, carrots, apples and herbs in their school garden and have brought it all in for the celebrations. Some of the fruit and vegetables have been sculpted into monsters, and the pupil with the scariest creation will win a prize.

“It’s really important for children to know where their food comes from,” says head teacher Sara Grove.

“Our children are learning about food all the time because they are growing it. It’s a big deal knowing that you have to eat fruit and vegetables.”

Healthy eating is a key focus at Brandlehow, which achieved National Healthy Schools status in January for its work improving physical and emotional health in pupils.

The programme, led by year three teacher Emma Caddy, aims to improve the school environment using methods such as a pupil council and an anti-bullying campaign.

"You’re only six once”

There is even a special place in the playground where lonely children can sit and speak to teachers and other pupils.

Ms Grove explains: “We want children to be really happy here and we contribute very positively to their wellbeing and sense of worth and value. As well as this we want them to do the best they can academically. That’s our passion.”

The school, in Brandlehow Road, Putney, has 210 pupils or 245 including the adjacent nursery and its main building is grade II listed, designed by the famous architect Ernö Goldfinger.

As an “extended” school, it offers childcare facilities, holiday play schemes and drama and martial arts classes to the community.

In a bid to keep pupils fit, there is also a whole host of extracurricular activities available, including football, cricket, netball, drama and dance.

Staff aim to set a good example and year six teacher Amit Patel certainly went beyond the call of duty in dressing up as Miss Piggy for this year’s fun run.

Brandlehow is a multicultural school, with a higher than average proportion of students speaking English as a second language.

It means pupils learn about each other’s cultures at an early age, and on days like harvest festival they are invited to dress in their national costumes.

Today head school cook Rose-Marie Huey is rustling up some Jamaican food as part of her tasty menu for Black History Week.

Originally from the country herself, shej’s using her expertise to make jollof rice, sweet potato stir and jerk fish.

International awareness is promoted by all teachers, and children can write to pen pals at partner schools in Europe and Africa.

Ms Grove adds: “The biggest challenge at Brandlehow is accommodating all the children who want to come here, and having the space to provide all the activities that parents, children and staff want.

“You can’t get caught up in the things that don’t matter. You have to focus on having a great childhood- making friends and being happy. You’re only six once.”

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