Upper Fourth students at Benenden School have spent the week investigating the journey of food from orchard to plate as part of an interdisciplinary Enquiry Project.
Entitled Resilience and Adaptability in the Local Environment, the project encouraged students to explore how food systems interact with wildlife, ecosystems and human communities, while considering how sustainable and ethical approaches can be developed for the future.
The programme began with a visit to Wildwood Trust near Canterbury, where students examined the relationship between native wildlife, conservation and food production. Through hands-on investigation, they gained a deeper understanding of the complex connections between ecosystems and the food we consume.
Back at School, students applied their learning across a wide range of disciplines. In STEM, they engineered devices capable of transporting apples and analysed evidence of animal activity. Geography lessons focused on food miles and ecological footprints, while Philosophy and Religion students debated ethical questions surrounding food production and consumption.
The project also incorporated practical and creative challenges. In Mathematics, students scaled recipes, while in Modern Languages they translated them. Meanwhile, in the Founders kitchens, students prepared food themselves, bringing their learning to life through hands-on experience.
As part of the project, students also contributed to the restoration of the School orchards, helping to preserve and enhance an important part of Benenden’s natural environment. This work provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with environmental stewardship.
Through the Enquiry Project, students developed key CREATE skills including collaboration, analytical thinking, resilience, leadership and global outlook. By drawing together knowledge from multiple subjects, they were challenged to think critically about the environmental, ethical and practical considerations involved in building sustainable food systems.
The project forms part of Benenden’s commitment to providing a broad and forward-thinking education, enabling students to address real-world challenges while developing the skills and perspectives needed for the future.