visit to Maplewell Hall School
by former Chairman John Thornton, who was made very welcome on his visit to the school
Charnwood Forest hides from view many beautiful houses; I am about to visit one of these. Travelling towards Woodhouse Eaves an inconspicuous sign against a backdrop of mature trees directs me to ‘Maplewell Hall School’. I have been invited here to view the school’s allotment. I first pass a granite gatehouse and follow a winding tree bordered road, now with speed humps and signs telling me of the 20mph speed limit. Another stone house on my right and still the road continues with many parked cars under trees as if trying to find shade from the bright sunlight. Finally, following the reception signs,
I emerge from the shade to view a large granite built house. I park and walk into the imposing main entrance, a lady opens the door and I am in an impressive entrance hall. Impossible to miss is a huge mirror almost covering the entire opposite wall, in which my entrance is reflected. I explain that I am the guest of Peter Russell and sign in; Peter is a Community Governor of the school and also a colleague on Ratby Road allotment.
He explains that Leicestershire Education Authority are the owners and the whole site covers many acres taking in open fields and woodland. We walk around the well-maintained gardens close to the house. We admire cedar, yew and a tall wellingtonia tree. I learn that the site was first occupied as a moated dwelling in 1584, then a farmhouse in 1760, which was enlarged in 1865 to the property we see today. It now has an Edwardian splendour feel to it. Before its educational use it was the home of the Fox family. It became a school in 1954 and caters for over a hundred pupils with moderate learning difficulties. Sixteen boarders can be accepted on a fortnightly rota system as part of the school’s extended day provision.
Against an old brick wall sunflowers and raspberries were planted which would benefit from the sun’s reflected heat as would the thornless blackberry cordoned to a net fixed to the wall. I watched the sowing of carrot seed, not in a shallow trench but broadcast on a watered soil and lightly tamped down Peter explained that this should avoid thinning, which attracts carrot fly.
A number of vocational options are offered to students, the favourite being gardening which Peter is responsible for, together with Kasia Glinka a full time learning support assistant. She and Peter teach allotment and general gardening. Teaching to NVQ level is being considered to give the children a good start in the open community. I was impressed by the good behaviour of the pupils and their keenness to work in the garden which is enclosed to keep rabbits out, Blue overalls and rubber boots are worn by those working, many pupils could name the growing plants which is more than most youngsters can do today.
The plot was immaculate, the pupils keen to remove surface stones from the pathways and weeds from the soil. It was evident that the soil was in good condition by the strength of the crops, I was shown an extensive herb bed, given a tour of the potting shed and the greenhouse which contained tomatoes, and indoor plants of various types. Selected flowers were planted with vegetables to ward of pests. Hostas didn’t seem to have slug trouble.
One pupil I was introduced to was the child of Reverend Tony and Susan Leighton who served Groby before our present Vicar. He is a well mannered young man who loves gardening. The pupils are awarded points on daily behaviour, John Neal, a cover teacher (also a train driver on the Great Central Railway) was conducting the group he was with that day around the plot asking for the names of growing plants and someone in the group would have the correct answer. I smiled; it was good humoured and firm teaching. I came away impressed by my visit clutching a plastic tub of late planting runner beans.
August 2011
Email ; grobyallotments@yahoo.com