AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has been learning how to grow his own vegetables as part of a school challenge.

Oscar Wilcox, who goes to St Osmund's CE Middle School in Dorchester, built his own vegetable garden and has been growing and cooking his own vegetables.

His mum, Michelle Wilcox, said: "He loves the outdoors, so when the headteacher challenge was for something positive to come out of lockdown, he decided to grow his own vegetables.

"We have always liked buying things fresh and when we couldn't go to the shops because of lockdown he wanted to grow his own and use them for cooking.

"He made a bolognese with spinach and carrots he grew and his peas are nearly ready as well. He grew some tomatoes and took them into school.

"He built the plot himself with wood and tools and some help from his dad."

Mrs Wilcox said that Oscar has never tried gardening at school before, but is something he is looking forward to when he gets back to school.

Saira Sawtell, headteacher at St Osmund's, said: "I have been setting a weekly headteacher challenge throughout lockdown and the first one was to do something positive in the time lockdown had allowed.

"Oscar Wilcox in Year 7 decided to build vegetable plots out of wood using hand tools. He has since grown peas, runner beans, tomatoes, courgettes, spring onions and more.

"Oscar has also grown other plants in the family greenhouse. His brother has used these vegetables to cook meals for the family.

"This week Oscar has donated many tomato plants to our school garden. He even brought in one tomato plant especially for me - but I have planted it in the school garden for proper care as I do not have green fingers.

"This has been such a good example of a young person being creative, nurturing something, learning new skills and knowledge and using lockdown well. Additionally, Oscar has special educational needs and does not find traditional school always easy. We do hope to have his input into our school garden when he is back."

Mrs Wilcox praised the school for giving the children lots to do during lockdown. She said: "The headteacher challenges have really sparked his interest. There was another one where he had to make contact with an elderly person and find out something interesting about them.

"They have been really thinking outside the box. He is really missing school and he can't wait to go back."