Dalkeith High School has launched a new social enterprise project, Food and Forest Co-op, to support its curriculum-led approach to Learning for Sustainability.
Supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, the Co-op aims to engage learners aged 14-18 currently undertaking a Sustainability course in practical outdoor learning and global citizenship to help prepare them for future work.
The School applied for funding through Forestry Commission Scotland’s Community Fund initiative, which aims to help groups facilitate greater use of woodlands, whether for education, community benefit, or to improve health and wellbeing.
As part of the Food and Forest Co-op, learners will put their greenwood working skills to practice in the School’s on campus Sustainability Hub, as well as manage the surrounding woodlands and community allotment. Trimmings from the woodlands will be used by the learners to create products such as garden lines, pegs and baskets to sell to the public and generate income for the Co-op.
Allyson Dobson, head teacher at Dalkeith High School, said: “The idea of the Food and Forest Co-op project emerged from the work we are doing at Dalkeith High School to establish progressive curriculum-led approaches to Learning for Sustainability.
“Introducing practical programmes will present learners with opportunities to experience the challenges of sustainability first-hand and teach them the basics of running a social enterprise, such as resource and funding allocation.”
Students partaking in the Food and Forest Co-op will be able to achieve various SQA qualifications through the project, including SCQF level 4, 5 and 6 across a range of forestry and horticulture accreditations.
Allyson added: “The woodland management element of the project will also benefit the local environment and give something back to the community.”
Hugh McNish, social programme manager at Forestry Commission Scotland, said: “The work of Dalkeith High School is exactly what the Community Fund embodies. It is there to support organisations looking to kick-start creative outdoor projects but are in need of some additional financial support.
“Through the fund, Forestry Commission Scotland aims to create opportunities for people to engage with Scotland’s green spaces to enhance education techniques, improve health and wellbeing, and generate wider community benefits.”
The School has partnered with Bowhill Estates to use the local woodland as a teaching resource, as well as BAM, which manages the woodland surrounding the campus, and Midlothian Council to operate the community allotment site.
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