Horticulture
Horticulture provides significant physical, mental, and social benefits for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Sessions in our carefully curated horticulture area helps foster improved concentration, sensory exploration, self-esteem and social engagement. Activities like gardening offer our pupils a positive and calming alternative to traditional classroom environments, promoting self-directed learning, a connection with nature, and the development of vital life skills. Horticulture can reduce stress, develop patience, and provide a tangible sense of achievement, leading to increased self-belief and improved emotional regulation.
Matt, our dedicated horticulture lead, brings many years of invaluable experience to Alfreton Park School, creating learning opportunities that extend far beyond the garden! Through hands-on learning experiences, Matt empowers our pupils to develop practical life skills alongside environmental awareness and understanding.
This holistic approach encompasses not only life skills and career skills development, but also provides crucial emotional support and regulation opportunities for our pupils.
Matt’s wealth of experience enables him to connect with pupils on multiple levels, using the natural environment as a powerful tool for learning, growth, and wellbeing, making him an integral part of our school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, confident young people.