The children of keyworkers being looked after at a Sutton Coldfield school have been getting green-fingered during lockdown thanks to the generosity of a Tamworth store.

Plantsbrook School, in Upper Holland Road, Sutton Coldfield, has kept its doors open to support key workers’ children, including pupils from Town Junior and Holland House Infants Schools.

And, after a kind donation from B&Q in Tamworth, the students have rolled up their sleeves and headed outside to learn about gardening.

“We have developed a gardening project along with the students that are coming into school,” explained assistant headteacher Simon Hampshire.

He continued: “The idea is to help students understand where their food comes from and to give them an opportunity to produce some food too.

“So far, we have had some raised beds constructed and planted some potatoes and onions in them, built a greenhouse and weeded some of the flower beds and sowed some wildflower seeds.

“Hopefully these will flower and cheer students and staff up when they come into school!”

The green-fingered youngsters are trying to avoid using plastic in their gardening, and have been making paper plant pots to sow vegetable seeds in. Mr Hampshire added that any extra food grown by the students could be used to help the community.

“If there was a surplus it would be nice to share some of this food with our vulnerable families and students,” he said.

B&Q at Tamworth provided plants, potatoes, seeds and gardening equipment for the fun project.

Martin Woodhouse, unit manager of B&Q Tamworth said: "We're pleased to be able to bring some colour and joy to the children and teachers at Plantsbrook School.

"Some of our store's colleague's children attend this school, so we know all about the great work the staff there do on a daily basis. Thank you to all the teachers for all that you’re doing to support our local community.”   

Headteacher Tracy Campbell said: “We would like to thank B&Q at Tamworth for their kind gift, which helped us get the children involved in our gardening scheme.

“Their generosity is just one of the examples of community spirit we have seen since the lockdown began.”

Pictured: Donations of plants, seeds, equipment and tools to the school to help keep the children of key workers occupied during lockdown