THE idea of the Harvest Café came from the children of Ings Community Primary and Nursery School.

Children were seen picking blackberries at the edge of the school field. They wanted to eat the berries but weren’t sure if they were safe and if they were, what to do with them. Having small class sizes meant that we could work as a whole school, SELFA (Skipton Extended Learning for All) were contacted and helped us too.

The children suggested lots of names for this learning time and with the help of the School Council we all voted. The activity name ‘Thinking and Linking Time’ was the most popular and has become a regular session of shared learning in our school community.

During ‘Thinking and Linking Time’ the children discussed lots of ideas about what they could do with the berries. They wanted to share the berries and came up with the idea of a ‘Harvest Café’ which would follow the Harvest Assembly. In preparation for the café, the children researched recipes and decided to make rock buns, jam tarts, scones and blackberry jam.

The berries the children had picked were used. The children also wrote letters home and made posters, asking for donations of sugar, flour and other ingredients needed.

Menus were created and a classroom was transformed into a spectacular café. Family and staff member helped the children cook items. The food served by the children was delicious. The parents enjoyed spending time in school at both the Harvest Assembly and the Harvest Café.

Overall the Harvest Assembly and Harvest Café were a great success. The community was able to spend precious time with each other, the children able to share their real learning and food was gathered and shared out. The children were over the moon with their efforts!

By Sana, Alina and Tayeba (Year Six).