School Garden: health & safety quagmire

[di]

Oh, don't quit.

If this list exists, there must be someone who can help you lay your hands on it.

I'd offer to ask my Head, she's the Eco club person, but I'm sure you have access to teachers who could be as much help?

[Two_Sheds]

Right, I think I've found something I can go in armed with:
Poisonous Plants: A Guide for Parents & Childcare Providers: Amazon.co.uk: Elizabeth A. Dauncey: Books

I found it through Zazen's link to The Poison Garden.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[di]

I checked with the Head, she hasn't heard anything but will have a look....before she leaves(end of this term ), she does want to get some poisonous potatoes planted

[RedThorn]

slightly off topic, but shows how mad the worlds gone...

When I did me childminding course a few years back, I was advised to even get permission slips from the parents to use baby wipes

[Parsleythelion]

I've just read this thread and was staggered by what has to be done/displyed etc in schools to comply with health and safety. It is a real shame, life is all about learning, and part of that is learning from your mistakes.....

It's so depressing :-(

[Potstubsdustbins]

It really makes me wonder how we survived as kids, out in the parks and woods all day, scrumping, blackberrying etc and I can say hand on heart I cannot remember one kid getting into trouble with plant life and we were townies.


2Sheds I hope you get it sorted after all your work, it really is a wonder that anyone does voluntary work anymore with all the hoops to be jumped through.

Colin

[veggiechicken]

it really is a wonder that anyone does voluntary work anymore with all the hoops to be jumped through.

Colin

Sorry Potty, nobody is allowed to jump through hoops these days -'Elf'n Safety.....

[Two_Sheds]

I cannot remember one kid getting into trouble with plant life

Only 2 "plant poisoning" deaths in about 20 years, I read on the Tinterweb this morning.

[Two_Sheds]

Nearly took my ball home today !

Got in to find all my gardening stuff (in crates, that I bought) strewn around the courtyard, full of water and mud. Seeds & books sodden & ruined. The Little Ones are being encouraged to dig in the borders*, and aren't being supervised properly ...



* I would be very happy to prepare a particular bed for them to dig in, but I haven't been asked to. They've dug out loads of spring bulbs already, and today was just too much. I'm going to have a stiff drink ...

[snohare]

What a shame, TS ! I hope you had a word with the "appropriate" person responsible and got them to tidy your stuff up...

[di]

for you....don't know what else to say. x

[WendyC]

I would like to think we treat our volunteers with much more courtesy than you've been shown. We always need more helpers for gardening so if you're giving up there... trouble is I think a 4 hours commute each way would be excessive. Good luck.

[maytreefrannie]

Posted by Two Sheds:
The Little Ones are being encouraged to dig in the borders*, and aren't being supervised properly ...

So sorry to hear that it can be an uphill struggle for you - it seems some people have no idea of the amount of work that goes into a school (or any) garden; surely all staff should be encouraging you all the way and use every opportunity to show the children how to take responsible care of the plot.


Years ago, I went to a talk by a man who used to write a gardening column on a local paper. When asked about dangers, in particular poisonous plants around children, his response was something like

"Well, speaking for my own children, they won't eat anything unless we smother it in red sauce first."

[Potstubsdustbins]

With apologies to others in the teaching profession but to me it sounds like there are some adults here who need lessons.

The curriculum should include manners, courtesy, responsibility to and respect for others.

Colin

[lottie dolly]

well put colin,maybe the poison thing should be in a valid subject in what ever lesson,
so sorry 2 sheds,nothing like getting a kick in the behind to dampen anyone's spirits,
so,will this escalate around all school gardening,and special needs growing,i hope not,