Pupils at Deanery Primary School in Sutton Coldfield stepped up for sustainability in a joint project with local Rotarians.
The youngsters collected over 1,300 plastic bottles to create an eco-greenhouse which now sits pride of place in the school’s Environmental Area thanks to the efforts of Wylde Green Rotary Club volunteers who built the structure.
The project will support hands-on outdoor learning while strengthening a commitment to environmental education.
All the bottles had their bottoms cut off and were carefully threaded onto 140 bamboo canes which were then stapled to the frames which were assembled and joined together to form the greenhouse.
With the build complete, staff will now work alongside the school’s Eco Council to develop a planting and growing programme. Children from across all year groups will soon have opportunities to use the greenhouse for practical learning – exploring plant life, sustainability, and caring for the natural world.
The school hopes the project will inspire pupils to understand the impact of recycling, take pride in their environment, and develop lifelong eco friendly habits.
Headteacher Lisa McIntosh extended sincere thanks on behalf of the school community: “We are incredibly grateful to the Rotarians of Wylde Green for their hard work and generosity. This project has not only created a fantastic learning environment for our pupils but also demonstrated the power of community collaboration and environmental responsibility.”
“The children in our eco team from Y2 to Y6 classes are planting fruit and veg, which supports learning in our curriculum but will also hopefully produce food to use in our kitchen for school meals. Planting is just beginning.”
The project reflects a strong community partnership, with Rotarian volunteers giving their time, skills, and enthusiasm to construct the greenhouse using recycled wood and repurposed materials. Their work has provided the school with an inspiring space that reinforces the importance of sustainability and recycling – values that are central to the school’s ethos.
Alan Boulton, President, Rotary Wylde Green, said: “We welcomed the opportunity from the Deanery Church of England Primary School to construct and donate an eco-greenhouse. We did it the hard way, not by buying a kit but by constructing the whole thing ourselves. The wood was previously used for another purpose. We cut it to size and length, including all the angles, painted and drilled it and assembled the necessary frames.
“It was hard work but great fun! And now the school has an eco-greenhouse which we hope will support the pupils’ work in the environment, helping them to enjoy the wonders of nature by growing plants. It will be great to keep in touch with the project and see how it progresses through the summer months and beyond.”
William Wheat & Son Nursery in Walsall donated materials towards the project, including compost bags, grow bags and plants.
Wylde Green Rotarians are enthusiastic, fun loving, active volunteers who give of their time and talents to serve communities. A warm welcome awaits anyone interested in finding out more. Visit: https://rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?PgID=768473&ClubID=1725