A secondary school has raised thousands of pounds to help plans for an eco classroom to take root.

The food forest and eco centre project is being spearheaded by Dartford Science and Technology College and the Healthy Living Centre in Dartford.

Together they hope to to erect the unique classroom on an existing patch of land at the secondary school site on Heath lane.

The idea is to teach students about food production, plant life and soil composition, all while reaping the benefits of hands-on learning.

Plans consist of a classroom space, greenhouse, composting toilet, water infiltration ditches and a food forest made almost entirely from edible plants.

The building would also be sustainably constructed from straw bales which, unlike most building materials, absorb rather than release harmful greenhouse gases.

Principal Anne Davis said: "We have a really big site and we want to be more eco-friendly and sustainable and so started working with the Healthy Living Centre in Dartford two years ago.

"It started with a small area of the site which started as a vegetable patch and then we realised there was a lot more potential to do something more permanent."

A fundraising campaign recently got underway and an initial target of £16,000 was met earlier this month.

An additional £10,000 has also been pledged courtesy of the Aviva Community Fund which supports small charities and forward-thinking projects.

Ms Davis added: "This is about leaving a legacy. We have got a strapline which is 'educating and empowering citizens of the future'.

"If we carry on the way we are going it may be the students or their kids who inherit a problem they can't solve.

"We want to do something and we want to do something now."

But the head teacher hastened to add the project would not just benefit the students of the future.

If the project gets the green light it is envisaged it would also be made available for wider community use outside of school hours via controlled public access.

"There is something really lovely about being with nature and being outside," Ms Davis said.

"Mental health at this time and over the last few years has really knocked people's confidence and so this can be a place they can go to feel safe."

The next steps for the school and its partners is to conduct a feasability study ahead of future fundraising.

"We are looking to have a Geotechnical assessment conducted on the site next," the principal added.

"This is to ascertain the composition of the ground, which will then inform the nature of the building foundations required for the building.

"If any companies are willing to offer this service at a discount or sponsor us in any way for any of the project can they get in touch through office@dstc.kent.sch.uk."

Dartford Science and Technology College is an only girls' non-selective school with a mixed sixth form.

The Healthy Living Centre is a community-led charity providing opportunities to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in Dartford.