Green-fingered students at a school near Clacton are hoping to provide their classmates with freshly-grown produce from their very own allotment.
Pupils from Market Field School in Elmstead Market have set to work on growing their own fruit and vegetables at their new allotments.
The school, which caters for children aged five to 16 with moderate learning difficulties, took on the two patches from Thorpe le Soken Parish Council in September.
The project will act as an alternative provision for those needing more than the traditional classroom setting can provide.
The aim is for the food produced at the allotments to be taken back to school to be cooked in food technology lessons and sold to school staff.
Assistant headteacher, Kim Bere said: “The whole school will be able to use our allotments and get involved in the physical work of setting up and maintaining the plots.
"We want to make it our own and to be able to show students where their food comes from.
“The children have been absolutely brilliant and have really got stuck in. They are really embracing it. They know they are working towards something and are showing enthusiasm, motivation and resilience.
“It is an alternative way of them learning about realistic jobs they could do in future and links to employability. We are seeing the children in a different light.
"Those who might struggle in a classroom are coming into their own when they walk out onto the allotment. Reading and writing may not be their strength, but this really is for them.
“We have been shocked at how hard they have been able to work and what they are achieving together. We are so proud of how much they have applied themselves and wanted to achieve this.”
So far, the plots have been cleared and a polytunnel has been put up to enable growing to begin in the colder months.
Plans include creating raised beds, so students with mobility challenges or in wheelchairs can also take part and get involved.
A Thorpe le Soken parish council spokesman said: “We were very happy to have the school as tenants on our allotments because it is so important that children and young people understand where food comes from and have the opportunity to 'grow their own', while developing skills and getting outside in the fresh air.
"Sadly, many children these days don’t understand that ketchup is made from tomatoes, or chips are made from potatoes.
“This is particularly important when living in rural, agricultural areas which may provide them with employment opportunities in the future.”
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