Ashford School is a Finalist in the “Best Experiential Learning” Category of Muddy Stilettos 2023 Awards

We are delighted to share that Ashford School has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Muddy Stilettos School Awards in the category of “Best Experiential Learning (Senior)” for our Aquaponics initiative led by our Assistant Head (Upper School) Claire Miller.

The objective of this project was to teach sustainable agriculture through the creation of a living classroom, where aquaponics and sustainability could be taught and led by pupils across an age range of 5-18 years.

Through this project, students have examined the importance of a reduction in water use, grown lettuces suitable for School consumption, gained an understanding of sustainability and how to reduce food miles, as well as using this for their EPQs and Gold Crest Awards.

Students have also collaborated with other areas of our School community. They have worked with the catering management team, to look at viable food production resources that are of nutritional value also cost effective, and with our Bursar Mrs Greig they have investigated ways to maintain the project so that it is cost neutral.

This initiative has also fostered connections across year groups, and supported our older students in the development of their skillset, taking on leaderships roles and teaching primary pupils about food production and food chains.

We hope to expand this initiative beyond Ashford School, and allow community schools and schools within United Learning Group to learn from the project and reproduce their own media-bed aquaponic system.

Congratulations to all those involved on this well-deserved nomination. The judging process is in its final stages and the winner in each category will be announced on 07 June 2023!.