Dumfries Academy is now the proud owner of an outdoor classroom and orchard, complete with tables, seats and a network of paths.
A series of information boards detailing various aspects of the school’s history have also been installed.
The development is a ‘culmination of an idea’ that Mark Jardine of The People’s Project spawned about four years ago, with head teacher Joanne Dillon.
Mark said: “Over the intervening years and even through the pandemic, retired history teacher William McGair came back to work with the pupils on the project – so the information boards are very much the pupil’s work.”
In addition, The People’s Project has planted 30 fruit trees and installed taps to provide water for them and for the raised beds.
It is hoped that the orchard, when it comes into fruit, can complement a ‘from tree to plate’ message, whereby pupils can make pies and tarts in home economics classes, or for others, and surplus may also be used by staff at the nearby social enterprise cafe The Usual Place.
It was officially opened on Monday.
