Local children taking part in sunflower growing competition

A group of children from Dartmouth Academy, part of Education South West, are taking part in a sunflower growing competition with other local schools.

This term, the pupils have grown sunflower plants from seeds up at the school and now they have planted them out at Coronation Park in the town alongside their competitors.  

Once they have had time to grow and bloom, the sunflowers will then be judged to see who has grown the tallest one and the winner will receive a trophy for their horticultural efforts. 
 
The sunflowers were planted out during National Children’s Gardening Week. National Children’s Gardening Week was the idea of Neil Grant, BBC Radio Sheffield’s garden expert and co-presenter of their weekly garden phone-in, and it’s widely supported by the whole of the UK garden industry. It’s now an annual festival of fun that’s embraced in homes, schools, and community groups across the country.
 
Paul Giradot, Headteacher at Dartmouth Academy said: “At Dartmouth Academy, we believe in building long-lasting relationships with pupils and their families and take pride in being at the heart of our community. As such, it’s lovely to be taking part in this competition which not only will help brighten up the town but has also encouraged our pupils to enjoy some gardening!”
 
Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: “I was delighted to hear that Dartmouth Academy pupils have been growing sunflowers to be planted in the town and I will keep my fingers crossed that they grow very tall!  At Education South West we strongly believe in the value of outdoor learning, and I hope taking part in this competition will encourage some children to develop their green fingers.”