Nottingham school’s sensory garden spruced up by A52 project team

The team behind the A52 improvements scheme have helped transform an overgrown outdoor space at the Endeavour Academy  in Nottingham into a sensory garden.

The school caters for SEN pupils of primary and secondary school age across two sites, and said the new garden at its Churchmoor Lane site, which caters for primary and Keystage 3 pupils, would enable children to have a safe, quiet space to enjoy nature. 

A team made up of employees from National Highways and Morgan Sindall - the contractor working on the A52 scheme between the Priory roundabout and QMC - spent 400 hours on the transformation. They cleared the overgrown areas and levelled the ground, as well as creating paths, plant beds and a seating area. 

Pupils have also been provided with lawn feed and seeds to plant flowers to add colour to the garden over the coming months and learn new gardening and growing skills.

Laura Williams, deputy headteacher at Endeavour Academy in Nottingham, said:

"We are so grateful for the time and effort that has gone into the garden. The finishing touches are lovely and the impact this garden will have on our children and young people will be immeasurable.  

“Each child’s needs can differ, and they now have somewhere calming to sit and enjoy nature, which many of us take for granted.”

Sue Chambers, Project Manager at National Highways said:

“Whenever we carry out work on large schemes that run on for some time and impact a lot of residents, we like to give something back to the local communities. 

“After hearing about the Endeavour Academy and their desire to develop an area of overgrown wasteland on their site, the project team wanted to provide a space for students to take time out when they feel stressed and give them somewhere to enjoy the comfort of being outdoors.”

Emma Searle, Senior Social Value Manager at Morgan Sindall, said:

“Our team were delighted to create this wonderful garden for Endeavour school and to create a positive impact on the local community.  We were especially proud to see the wonderful reaction from pupils upon seeing their new outside space.”

The A52 improvements scheme aims to make journeys smoother and safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The work has included full resurfacing of the carriageway, replacing an ageing drainage system, installing a new cycleway and footpath, as well as upgrading street lighting, bus stops and pedestrian crossings.