Fruit and veg to many children is the stuff that comes in packets from the supermarket.

Not so for children at Woodfield Junior School, who have their very own allotment to tend to between lessons.

The school, in a suburb of Wolverhampton, is one of a growing number that are using market gardens to bring a little of the countryside into the city.

Woodfield recently took delivery of chickens to add to the attractive smallholding that sits between the school playing field and the staff car park.

It means a forthcoming harvest of produce ranging from potatoes and onions to runner beans, radishes and salad leaves.

The Woodfield Avenue school also has a polytunnel with courgettes, aubergines, herbs and cucumbers and an orchard that grows apples, pears and plums.

It means a living, breathing science lesson for pupils – and the chance to taste fresh fruit and veg together with fresh eggs every day from its four chickens in their new enclosure.

For a city school the allotment is more than a useful diversion from classroom-led activities.

Amanda Nutt, assistant head and year four co-ordinator, says the school started work on the allotment in April 2007 and it has blossomed since then.

She says: “Part of the science curriculum that year was about plant growth and we thought the best way to show the children was to grow some produce.

“We started off with four raised beds and then a neighbour of the school Robert Oakley offered us the polytunnel.”

Mrs Nutt says the children enjoy working in the garden and have had a chance to taste some of the food that their hard work has created.

“Some of the food isn’t ready yet but we have been using the herbs and mixed leaves,” she says.

“We don’t have enough for them to be used in the school kitchen but with a portable stove we can use them in the classrooms. The children made their own salad dressing this week and most of the produce will be ready in autumn when they will be enjoyed by the next lot of year four children.”

Callum Zammit, aged nine, says he was delighted when he found out that his school was going to be getting chickens.

“We have chickens at home and I’m used to having them around in the backyard and getting fresh eggs is a lovely part of keeping these animals.

“Having fruit and vegetables growing at the back of our school is really good.

“I’m glad that I’ve had the chance to be a part of the gardening group. Everyone at my school likes all the fresh food that we can get and we have learned how to cook a few interesting things thanks to the wide range that is growing outside our school.”

Whenever eight-year-old Jack Evans sees the fruit and vegetables which are grown at the back of his school he can’t believe his eyes.

He says: “It is amazing that they start off as a tiny seed, that you can only just see in your hand, and then it turns into something huge – like a melon.

“My favourite fruits are raspberries and growing them is better than going to the supermarket because it is fun and they also taste nicer.

“I have encouraged my parents to get chickens because it is a way of having fresh eggs every morning without having to go to the shop.”

Others who have worked on the project include nine-year-olds Karishma Mehan and Libby McKenna-Fraser.

Karishma says: “I like growing the French beans best and I’ve tried some of the herbs, which are lovely on salads. At home I’m going to start growing some vegetables in pots. I used to wonder where vegetables and fruit came from because I knew that a carrot wouldn’t start off as a carrot, it had to have come from somewhere.”

Libby says: “I think it’s great having an allotment at the back of the school and it is good that you can get your fruit and veg for free.

“Having an allotment costs hardly anything and it is fun to pick the fruit and vegetables – it is also healthier to be able to grow your own food rather than go to the supermarket.”

Environmental regeneration charity Groundwork has been helping teachers and youngsters at the Wolverhampton school.

Becky Lewis from the charity says: “This scheme is part of the Farm to Fork project and we have delivered six sessions to the children about working on the allotment.

“In addition to that we took children to a working farm, which they really enjoyed. A lot of children don’t know where their food comes from and so this helps them understand how food grows.”

Ms Lewis says that youngster have learned it is best to eat seasonal food such as lettuces, peas and strawberries in the summer and carrots, parsnips and pears in the winter.

Nine-year-old Mark Morey says: “Not many schools have an allotment, so we are very lucky.

“It has made me decide to grow my own veg when I’m older – then I can show my children how much fun it is.”