A GARDEN of reflection has been opened at a school in Colchester, with the seeds of the idea sown after a chance conversation between a teacher and broadband engineers.

Paxman School, which opened its doors to pupils in 2019, put the idea into practise after deputy headteacher Nick Mussett got talking to broadband engineers at Lila Connect, a company which specialises in digital connectivity.

The garden was opened officially yesterday.

Although the idea for a reflection garden was already in place after the end of the second lockdown, the link-up between Paxman School and Lila Connect saw the idea come to fruition more quickly – and more affordably – than expected.

Mr Mussett explained: “Lila Connect were installing broadband in the area [and] I happened to be talking to [the engineers], asking what they were doing.”

After the idea of the garden of reflection got back to David Shade – the community engagement manager at the company which runs Lila Connect – the school and the broadband company started working together.

“They said they would like to work in partnership with the school, and it was roughly at the same time we were working on the reflection garden.”

Explaining the inspiration behind the garden of reflection, Mr Mussett said it came about after people realised how difficult it had been to cope with the challenges of the nationwide lockdown.

He said: “It had been very challenging for a lot of families and students, and we were really keen to create a quiet, calm space within the school where pupils could reflect and have time with their thoughts.

“We had some different ideas and consulted students about the things they would like to see – they wanted big, open seating, and they helped choose the colours [in the area] – they are quite pastelly and calming.”

“It’s a nice area where they can take a bit of time out from their busy schedules.”

The overall cost amounted to £10,000, though the school has not had to pay for anything.

“No money has exchanged hands,” Mr Mussett said.

“They have basically donated it – it’s very generous.”