Pupils and staff from Carlton Vale Infants Schools at a previous campaign to Save the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre - decades ago!
I will be presenting the petition calling on Brent Council to make every effort to continue the work of the Welsh Harp Environment Education Centre with primary school pupils after the withdrawal of Thames21, at the next Full Council on Monday September 15th.
The aim is to provide space within the new SEND 16-25 Provision for primary schools to work on the Life Processes and Living Things aspects of the Science National Curriculum, getting first hand experience. This will need another provider to run the courses and importantly classroom space in the new building.
Statements from the Council have lacked clarity with some suggesting that the building will only be used by the SEND students, leaving no physical space and thus no time in the school day for primary pupils.
A statement from a Capital Projects Manager (rather than the lead members for Environment or Schools) focuses on the building and says..' it should be noted that the Council has exciting plans to deliver a new Welsh Harp Horticultural Centre. The Council’s vision is to deliver a horticultural educational service to two specific groups 1) 5–11-year-old pupils and 2) 16–25-year-old SEND young people with two separate partner agencies as the Council’s long-term partners.'
It is not a 'horticultural service for primary pupils' that we are fighting for but the scuence curriculum referred to above.
They wax lyrical on what the building will offer, and it is impressive, but more important is the education that will be offered, particulaly for a generation who will be faced with all the challenges of climate chance and loss of biodiversity. This section of the statement seems to forget the primary pupils:
The primary purpose of this centre is to create much needed facilities for special educational needs and disability (SEND) young people 16-25 years old, therefore the design is developed to accommodate the space standards for SEND. However, the centre is available as a resource for any resident and/or group to utilise by booking the available spaces. The new centre will consist of a reception, 4 teaching spaces, hygiene room, toilets, staff tea point, lift and stairs on the ground floor, permitting access to the first floor. The first floor contains a large open plan multi-use space with tea point, office space, first aid room, hygiene room, storage space, external terrace, and a green roof. The landscaping will include a new pond, poly tunnels for growing produce and plants, an enhanced biodiversity area, a covered outdoor activity area and the biodiverse green roof at first floor level. The terrace can be used to view and study the wildlife at Welsh Harp.
One former teacher commented:
The thing I picked out was how they were keen to talk about how much consultation there had been on the idea, but could not see that schools who have used WHEEC for years were on the list and I would be interested in how the proposal was put ie “look at the marvellous idea and facilities we are providing” without any suggestion of what would be lost. The answer to, “ Would you like great facilities for SEND children/young people to help them fulfil their potential” is always going to yes.
Another large elephant in the room is that there are a number of references in various places to the use of the facility by residents and other organisations, but it also seems to say the facility will be in used every day and weekends for the SEND groups.
A lovely line “The proposed facility would provide an opportunity for residents to be better connected to nature and enhance green spaces and bio diversity.” I can’t see when the public can use it timewise and they won’t be allowed on site if vulnerable pupils are there. Also Polytunnels? Enhance green spaces?
Hopefully lead members responding to the Petition will reassure schools and pupils that the work of the WHEEC will be accommodated within the new building and that every effort is being made to find a new provider,
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