Roots, Shoots and Scores

Since October 2020, The Academy and  ReThinkFood have been on a sustainable food journey with Primary 6 pupils from Granton and St David’s primary schools in Edinburgh. Through our project, Roots, Shoots and Scores, pupils have gone on a voyage of discovery! We've planted seeds using state of the art growing tower technology, looked at the UN Sustainable Development Goals, discussed climate change and even been part of a social enterprise as part of the project.

"Bringing together our work linked to food and the environment alongside physical activity sessions developed by the team at Spartans has created a programme that has enriched outcomes for children at both Granton and St David's Primary Schools. "

Nathan Atkinson - ReThink Food

Pupils have learned new skills from growing food to business awareness and have increased their confidence and resilience. To supplement our classroom project, Spartans have worked in partnership with global NGO Coaches Across Continents to create play-based activities that enhance learning for the participants. These activities take each of the classroom sessions outdoors and create an environment which inspires problem-solving and critical thinking. From looking at population change to being part of a social enterprise, each outdoor session reiterates key messages from the classroom and enables the participants to consolidate learning.

The collaboration of like-minded organisations such as Rethink Food and Coaches Across Continents has made our Roots, Shoots and Scores project a powerful learning vehicle giving young people the opportunity to develop key skills and look at ways to address critical global issues. With support from Baillie Gifford and Walter Scott this project really is a great way to help us make our world a better place and to ensure that we can continue to be Here for Good.

"Doing virtual lessons with Rethink Food, growing produce in a sustainable way through a growing tower, learning about the importance of the 17 UN sustainable development goals and the teamwork the class have shown to distribute food to other classes at Granton PS have all been amazing experiences for the children."

- Neil Innes, Class Teacher, Granton Primary School