Supergrounds Project Support

I have tried to pull together a few guidance template download, project information and key dates so that you can access things when you need them.

I have pulled together Learning through Landscape blank templates which you should have hard copies of and I have also added a few of my own to help you along the way.

Just dip in to what you feel is appropriate for you and your project and if you would like anything else adding just give me a call: 0161 881 9855 or email: paula@gardens123.co.uk and I will amend the info below.

Hope you find this useful,

Paula

Address for posting your designs and costings: 248 Darley Avenue, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 7HX

September to December 2009

An example of school timings could be RBS rep cheque handover in an assembly, consultations and competitions in Oct then design drafts, final design and costings in Nov.

This leaves the more hectic December free for Christmas mayhem and gives you time to ask for quotes from construction teams (if needed) in time for January.  
  • Initial Press Release - press release 1 (I have 10 children's and 6 adult t-shirts per school, just ask)
  • Consultations - pupils, parents, teachers and lunchtime staff
  • Costings - your design should be the brief for quotes (see the break down below of an idea to the level of detial required for your progress report).

Further resources can be found at: www.ltl.org.uk just tap in your membership number found on the blue letter I gave to you at our initial meeting and explore their resources.

January - February 2010

Initial or Progress Report - advisor template (to give you an idea of what information is needed to be gathered) This completed report actions the next £2000 of your funding.

If your design is not a professional design/plan then you will also need to send a design brief to the contractors. The more detail in the brief (or final plan) the better if you want to compare quotes accurately and ensure you know what you are going to get from the contractors work. Images and web links also help.

An example of a design brief could look like this:

Quote to purchase and install:
• 6 x backless wooden benches (each 50cm long and 50cm high) to form a circle (to be painted by pupils)
• 1 x 5.4m burgundy rectangular shade sail canopy (http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/waterproof-sail-shade-c-85_768.html) with fixings and posts.
• etc.....length and width of path, what will it be made of, size of stage area, is this made of wood, number of performance area benches and their size, an idea of the plants and size of planting beds etc....

Contractors working across Greater Manchester:
 An example budget breakdown needed for your progress report could look like this:

Budget Update, how is this split to create your final design?
Example: £1000 labour, £1500 raised planters, £1000 benches and tables, £1000 sensory plants, £1000 pathways, £100 wind chimes, £200 water feature, £100 mosaic, £400 contingency = £6300 (if the contingency is not needed this will be spent on a willow tunnel)

Please email or post your designs and costings to me by 31st Jan 2010.
248 Darley Avenue, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 7HX

February to April 2010

It would be nice to complete the work on site for Easter so that you can have the grand opening before or just after SATs allowing the Y6 children the full summer term to enjoy the new space. If you require any support over the coming months with creating your new areas please get in touch.

  • Mid Stage Press Release - press release 2 (if you did not get t-shirts last term let me know)

Spring is here and there are only a few frosts to go so it’s time to think practical,
  • Managing contractors on site,
  • Pupil and volunteer working parties and/or plant swap events,
  • Children starting to grow in classrooms (to be transplanted out end march/april after all the frosts),
  • Taking before, during and after photos, comments and videos,
  • Local publicity of practical days to enhance support for current and future developments,
  • Children keeping diary’s of the project progress for future school entrance displays

Look out for Spring Sales on materials such as:
  • Selco's - Brown Treated Sleepers (125x250x2400mm) for £25 each
  • J Parkers's - Beginner Potato Packs (4 Sacks and 6 each of Charlotte, Red Duke of York, Maris Peer and Maris Piper) £14.95

A bit of info for those of you developing Growing Projects:

Check out the easy grow plants for children – http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/plantstotry_easy1.shtml

Beds and borders can quickly dry out or be taken over by weeds. Using a layer of mulch across the soil surface can prevent this. The best time to mulch entire beds or borders is in late-winter or early spring – http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/soil_usingmulches1.shtml

Don’t forget the RHS Campaign for Schools website packed full of resources and information for both teachers and pupils – http://apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/default.aspa

June 2010

All projects, celebration events and final reports must be completed by Friday 18th June 2010.

If you haven't done a press release by this stage your RBS regional manager would like to be involved in the final press release stage and will try to organise a photographer to attend the opening event.

This is the final year of Supergrounds and therefore project staff will not be employed from this date to administer the project so no reports will be checked and the final funding will not be released.