An Enormous Pumpkin

For the past 6 months, the pupils at Bishops Cannings Primary School have been taking part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s School Gardening 'Monster Pumpkin' competition.

The pumpkin's measurements have been submitted, and the results are in.

“We applied to the RHS to receive the seeds last year but were unlucky,” said Headteacher Catherine Vardy.

“However, this year we were selected and in April two seeds, harvested from an award winning pumpkin, arrived in the post.”

Pupils in Year 1 were in charge of sowing the seeds and nurturing them in the early weeks under the watchful eye of their Class Teacher Katherine Steggall. All the children took it in turns to water the seeds and keep a record of their progress.

Within a few weeks the seeds had sprouted and the plants started to fill the classroom windowsill. In June, pupils planted the seeds outside in a raised bed. Over the summer holidays, families and staff came in to the school to water and tend to the pumpkin.

"Being outside and developing children’s learning and love of the natural world is something which is at the heart of our vision for children in our school," notes Ms Vardy.

Throughout September, Year 6 pupils recorded the pumpkin’s circumference and calculated its weight.

“It has been very exciting” said Emily, “I really liked being able to use my maths skills to add up all the measurements and see how much the pumpkin had grown”.

Results were submitted by the end of September 28th.

Ms Steggall says: "Our pumpkin came third in the National RHS competition, weighing in at 107kg. We are delighted with this result and we are already looking forward to next year’s competition!"

www.bishopscannings.wilts.sch.uk/wilts/primary/bishopscannings