On a lovely summer’s day, the new Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Revd Rod Green opened the prayer garden at St Andrew’s C of E primary school in Barnsbury on Thursday, 16 July. It’s for all children at the school, whatever their faith or culture, so they can have a place for reflection and calm.

Over 150 children and parents crowded round for the short ceremony after the leavers’ service for Year Six. The prayer garden is a haven with both sunlight and shade and specially selected plants. It was designed by the staff and, importantly the children too, under the wise eye of Teaching Assistant Georgina McMeekin.

Headteacher Richard Smith, who initiated the project, said “Our school has been called an oasis in the city by Ofsted. The prayer garden will give children a chance to take time out and think about something more than the everyday. It’s in the middle of the grounds, not tucked away out of sight. We are so pleased to welcome Bishop Rod to bless it, to the staff who worked so hard to get it right and to the children who all participated with suggestions for the lay-out”

The children said that they wanted coloured flower-pots, windchimes and a chalk board for them to write up their thoughts.

“It’s a truly original and special place” said The Reverend Caroline Titley, rector of St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square who joined the bishop at the opening.