Teachers’ section

Teacher Information

About the school resource pack

This digital school pack covers market gardening in the Vale of Evesham and is primarily aimed at Key Stages 2-3. It is divided into two parts:

  • Records from the Past is a series of topic-based webpages filled with sources – old photos, oral histories and written records – alongside explanations and supporting information. These pages can be explored by pupils themselves, or used as a resource bank to create your own activities and lessons.
  • To accompany this, a series of supporting documents for teachers are available below. The key documents, found under Using this pack, highlight links to the National Curriculum and provide a condensed summary of market gardening in the Vale.

Activity suggestions and accompanying resources are included for those seeking inspiration, but there are no prescriptive activity sheets or lesson plans within the pack. We hope that the flexibility provided by the Records from the Past resource pool enables the pack to be used in various ways and adapted to suit different teaching styles, age groups and subjects.

Cross-curricular learning

As a key period of local history within living memory, market gardening has clear links to the teaching of both local and British history. However, it can also be used to teach a wide range of other topics and skills – from design to map skills, and habitats to creative writing. Beyond the curriculum, market gardening can be drawn upon to discuss topical issues such as climate change, healthy eating and technological changes.

Recording of the launch event in February 2021

Curriculum Links (PDF) – take a look at the links market gardening has to different parts of the Key Stage 2-3 National Curriculum, as well as the teaching of Key Stage 1 History. Activity suggestions and a note of the supporting resources available are also included.

Teachers’ Notes (PDF) – a condensed summary of market gardening in the Vale of Evesham.

Introductory presentation to market gardening in the Vale (ppt) – a brief overview for introducing the topic to pupils.

Glossary of market gardening terms (PDF)

Letters to & from the past – worksheet templates and accompanying activity clues for pupils to compare their lives today with the lives of children in the past. This activity draws on a series of letters written by schoolchildren from Badsey and Pershore in 1933. Letter templates are available as Word documents so that the text can be edited to suit.

Historic maps (external resource) – early edition Ordnance Surveys are available to view online through the National Library of Scotland website. To find maps for a particular area, head to ‘Find by Place’ and entering a location.

Market garden crops & their seasons (PDF) – an overview of the crops most commonly grown by market gardeners.

Artificial pesticides & fertilisers (PDF) – information and images of the chemicals historically used in market gardening, to help explore the industry’s impact on local ecosystems.

Imperial units (PDF) – weights, measures and cost were integral to market gardening. As pounds, inches and shillings were the units of the day, older learners can use their mathematical skills to gain an understanding of market gardening quantities.

Hovel designs (PDF) – examples of the hovels (sheds) built by market gardeners, to assist pupils who are designing their own structures to research user needs.

External resources

  • Apples & Orchards Project – a wealth of biology resources for Key Stage 2 on plants, ecosystems and habitats within orchards, including spotter guides for outdoor learning.
  • Tree Tools for Schools (Woodland Trust) – activities and information to support outdoor learning in Key Stages 1-2.
  • Soilscape – an interactive map showing different soil types, their agricultural potential and other key information.
  • British Geology Viewer – discover an area’s geology through this interactive map.

Three market gardening buildings have been restored as publicly accessible heritage sites, which can be visited by schools and the public alike at any time.

Outdoor learning sessions are also available at Field Barn in Cleeve Prior. The ‘time capsule’ hovel at Field Barn sits within a community orchard cared for by Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust. Ponds and an area of woodland further expand the opportunities for hands on activities.

Interested in guided sessions?

Full and part day sessions are available at Field Barn on a range of topics and activities, from pond dipping and bug hunts to history and creative writing. Apple pressing is also available in the autumn. For full details, get in touch with Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust.

Considering a self-led visit?

School-led visits to explore the market gardening ‘hovel’ and orchards at Field Barn are welcome. Please contact Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust to discuss dates, parking and facilities.

Visits focused on market gardening may wish to use the app that accompanies the onsite information panels. Further details and download links will become available from the Market Gardening Heritage app page once it is released (expected around Easter 2021).

If you have any issues, queries, requests or feedback related to the Market Gardening School Resource Pack, please get in touch with Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service:

explorethepast@worcestershire.gov.uk | 01905 766352

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