A NEW garden for students at an Abingdon school has been opened by BBC Oxford gardening expert Steve Relton.

The 70m sq garden at Larkmead School, Abingdon, has taken two years to develop, giving pupils with extra learning and social needs a chance to work outside the classroom. The pupils are growing green beans, runner beans, strawberries and sunflowers in two rows of six vegetable beds.

The Foundation and Learning Garden is used to introduce maths and literacy in a different way, asking questions like “What is the height of the potatoes we have grown?” or “What are the instructions on the seed packets?”

Opening the garden on Monday, Mr Relton said: “This is a marvellous achievement. The garden is obviously well used and I’m impressed with the vegetables, they are looking great.”

Student Jack Marsh, 16, said: “I like working outdoors so it’s education but in a fun way.”

Daniella Young, 16, said: “It’s been fun. We’ve all worked together and have been in the garden even in the winter.”