Pupils from schools across the region swapped the classroom for the outdoors, and packed a wheelbarrow full of home grown produce representing a country of their choice, as part of the ‘Around the World in 41 Barrows’ project, a Health for Life initiative.

The finished barrows were one of the many activities at BBC Gardeners’ World Live aimed to excite and engage children with growing more fruit and vegetables.

Started four years ago, the barrow challenge is just one feature of the Health for Life programme, which aims to make an improvement in healthy lifestyles in local communities across Birmingham, supported by Services for Education, The Conservation Volunteers and funded by Mondelēz International.

The wheelbarrow activity tested pupils’ gardening skills and geographical knowledge, with each school growing a barrow’s worth of plants from the likes of India, Morocco, USA and more. Awards for best primary and secondary schools were also up for grabs, as well as a prize for the public’s favourite barrow. Oasis Academy Hobmoor went on to win Best Primary School barrow and Hodge Hill College was named as Best Secondary School entry, by a panel of expert judges. Acocks Green Primary School’s barrow was voted as the winner of the Public Choice award.

Schools taking part in ‘Around the World in 41 Barrows’ were supported by the Health for Life team and event organisers, with all the students and teachers involved being invited along to BBC Gardener’s World Live at the NEC to see their hard work on public display.

Denise MacDonald, head teacher at participating school Somerville Primary School, said: “The Health for Life programme is really popular with both staff and students. It gives us the tools to make learning about healthy lifestyles engaging and unique. Not many people will get the chance to design and grow a display that will be seen by tens of thousands of people.”

Sally Grundy, operations leader at TCV, said: “It was good fun to help schools with their Gardeners’ World barrows and to engage with the public with some ‘sow and grow’ activity to take away from the show and grow at home. This is a great way to encourage more people to grow food and lead healthy lifestyles which we’ve been promoting as part of Health for Life over the last few years. We were particularly proud to be part of the event this year and mark the 60th anniversary of The Conservation Volunteers.”

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager for Mondelēz International, said: “We have a long-term commitment to funding Health for Life because we see the impact it has first-hand. The hours and effort that not only go into creating these barrows but also the overall enthusiasm to engage in other Health for Life activities around gardening, cooking and physical activity show that the next generation are excited about healthy lifestyles, and  we’re delighted to support this through the programme.”

For more information about the work carried out by Health for Life in schoolsplease contact Sandra.passmore@servicesforeducation.co.uk