Working with our fantastic community garden teacher Mrs Hiley, our children and families and the wider Sheffield community have transformed our outdoor growing space, creating opportunities for growing delicious produce, flowers and plants. We teach other organisations how to establish a growing space and deliver an environmental curriculum that inspires adults and children alike. We have visited growing spaces across the country to establish a network and bring the best opportunities to our families. 

We have many exciting opportunities that take our families and children outdoors such as planting, weeding, harvesting, learning horticulture, and skill sharing.  We love using our fire pit and we have a fantastic outdoor classroom space and extensive polytunnel which children cultivate. We grow and cook together as a community. 

We are one of a small number of schools to achieve RHS level 5 for our environmental work and have a Tree Council Award for our Tree Champions in which we have extensively increased the number and species of trees grown on site. we have our own University of Sheffield PhD student who is researching 'Schools as sites for integrated food action' as part of our offer. 

We are always looking to invite new volunteers to support us in developing our green spaces.  If you would like to get involved, please contact Georgie Mitchell at georgiemitchell@arbourthorne.sheffield.sch.uk 

Annual Horticulture Show

In September 2023 we held our first Horticultural Show, which we now hold annually,  Families of the school are invited to a fun filled extravaganza filled with alpacas, llamas, bouncy castles, healthy bread and sweet treats, enjoy fresh produce grown by our families, meet and engage with external green-fingered organisations and celebrate the return to school with a 'soft landing' after the summer break. The horticulture show gives us the opportunity to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.