Des is a big fan of life-learning. He used to work at the U-Grow vertical farm, but since he turned 46 he's been thinking of making a career change to something slightly better suited to his age.

The lifeschool scheme allows him that freedom, and he's enrolled in a horticultural course to build on his experiences but expand them for community green surface management.

He can do much of the work at home if he wants to, but prefers the experience of going back to school - as the centre of the community its so vibrant, and there are always so many things going on.

Many of the junior classes must just have finished, and the crowd of excitable children swirls around him and streams out of the main gates on foot or bike heading for home. There are many who recognise him and smile as he pushes his way through to the main buildings - many of them are regular visitors to the U-Grow farm, but the growth of the local community over the last few years also means that people are generally better connected to one another than before.

This has made life safer than it was (the lack of waiting families outside the school gates are testament to that), but also cheaper and easier through the pooling of services or resources in schemes like Locality.

The school greenhouse, where the open practical session is being held, is at the back of the school, and he's both surprised and proud (as always) to see the range and variety of activities going on as he hurries through the grounds.

The learning labs are filled with groups of all ages (one of which is on a field trip in Sardinia), the county rugby team are receiving enthusiastic support for their training game out on the pitches, and Pump 7 have chosen the school as one date on their live national tour and the noise of their warm-up in the theatre can be heard as a dull roar.

He's also pleased to spot Carol helping prepare the dining area for the evening snackshack, and makes a mental note to pop in for a bite later.