Manchester Enterprise Academy students flourish in garden project

Students at Manchester Enterprise Academy have reaped the rewards of their work with the unveiling of their new garden – which has also won them references for their future CVs.

The garden, which went on public view on Friday, is the work of Year 9 students, who were involved in it from its inception, using the project as both a business and recreational exercise.

In total, ten green-fingered students were involved at each stage - including the design, letters to sponsors, and gardening work. And now, the garden is ready to be used by the Academy and also the wider community.

Project teacher Jenny Horan-Collins from Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA), said: "This aim of the project has been to integrate the building and development of the garden into several different facets of academic life.

"The project has been run and organised by the students themselves who did all of the liaising with both landscape architects Plincke, and with the contractors, Balfour Beatty.  This has given them direct, vocational experience and the sponsors were so impressed that they have said they will provide references for the students involved."

Teresa Johnson, Vice Principal of MEA, said: "Our students have done a great job so far in creating the garden space and they have been a real credit to the academy.  This is going to be a fantastic outdoor asset for us and we'd welcome any help from parents or from the local community to help us develop the space further."

Councillor Afzal Khan, Executive Member for Children's Services at Manchester City Council, said: "This is a project which will have a lasting effect and benefits for MEA pupils and Wythenshawe's whole community. It also complements Wythenshawe's reputation as Manchester 's original garden city."

MEA opened in  September 2010 and provides 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students.

It is sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College.

Since the academy opened last September it has become a hub for the local community and offers a wide range of activities year round giving parents/carers, families and the whole community the opportunity to benefit from its state-of-the-art facilities.