Schools challenge brings out ideas for city's green spaces

Young people from schools in Leeds have taken a fresh look at the green spaces in the city.

More than 100 pupils and staff from 10 Leeds schools gathered at the civic hall to receive their awards for completing the Stan Kenyon Annual School Challenge 2010.

The challenge has a different theme every year and this year schools were asked to look at Leeds's green spaces, how they are used and how they would like to see them improved.

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Each participating school submitted a project which a panel of judges assessed, taking into account the age group of the pupils, the quality of their presentations and the practicality of their proposals.

This year's overall winner was Primrose Hill Primary School, Pudsey, whose pupils produced a project that included the use of polytunnels and horse- (and human-) driven ploughs.

The school's plans could help to shape the way in which green spaces and parkland are used.

The best high school project was won by South SILC Broomfield School, whose pupils looked at their own school grounds and Middleton Park, discovering some of its history and hidden charms, and realising the benefits of being so close to the park.

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The best primary school award went to Raynville Primary School where pupils designed a new lung-shaped park within the school grounds with special emphasis on trees and wildlife habitat, including models of different bird boxes.

The leader of Leeds City Council and executive member with responsibility for development, Andrew Carter, said: "I am delighted these young people have come up with so many great ideas that could not only benefit all the people of Leeds but also some of the poorest and more vulnerable communities in the world.

"It is a credit to the pupils, their schools and their communities that they have shown such enthusiasm and put forward such positive ideas."

The Stan Kenyon Challenge award, which is promoted by Leeds City Council, is named after a former director of planning to mark the contribution he made to the city up until his retirement in 1995 after over 30 years of service.

It aims to raise awareness of the everyday environment.