Camborne School Launches £10,000 Crowdfunder for Student-Led Food Garden

Camborne Science & International Academy has launched a £10,000 community crowdfunder to turn part of its school grounds into a pioneering food garden, led by students.

The Camborne school, part of Athena Learning Trust, wants to create a space where young people can grow their own food and learn practical skills while supporting more sustainable food choices.

A Student-Led Food Garden

The appeal aims to raise funds for gardening tools, polytunnels, raised beds and a food waste composting machine. Once complete, the garden is expected to produce fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and even honey for use in the school kitchens. There is also potential for produce to be shared or sold beyond the school.

The project is being run in partnership with young people’s charity RJ Working and would allow students to grow vegetables all year round. Food waste from school lunches would be reused as liquid compost to support the growing process.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Alongside growing food, students would gain hands-on experience in planning, building, gardening and bee-keeping. The work is designed to help build teamwork and leadership skills, with a focus on strengthening community resilience and supporting one another in the face of a changing climate.

The scheme also hopes to encourage students to explore Cornwall’s growing green career opportunities in the future.

Part of a Wider Sustainable Approach

RJ Working focuses on giving young people the language, confidence and restorative skills to make a positive difference in their communities. This partnership forms part of CSIA’s wider efforts to improve food quality by sourcing ingredients locally and sustainably.

Earlier this year, the school began working with nearby Cornhill Farm, which now delivers free-range, farm-fresh eggs to the school each week.

What the School Says

Emma Haase, Principal of Camborne Science and International Academy, said:

“This is a hugely exciting project for our school and the wider community. A garden of this nature has the potential to transform how our students learn about food, sustainability and the environment, and the benefits could be enormous. We hope it becomes a catalyst for even more innovative, community-driven projects in the years ahead.”

Visit the Crowderfunder page here – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sowing-seeds-growing-community