We are thrilled to announce that our Prep School Gardening Club has received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Level 4 Award. The award recognises the pupils’ gardening efforts and their commitment to the environment and improving the school’s green credentials.
The awards are part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and are designed to celebrate exceptional gardening initiatives in schools, and reward pupils for their commitment to environmental stewardship.
At Level 4 of the awards, pupils are actively engaged in gardening projects using tools professionally, growing and harvesting produce throughout the year, and using the garden to teach curriculum subjects. This level of the award is not easily achieved and requires a school to demonstrate a long-term commitment to gardening and biodiversity, along with a curriculum that supports sustainability.
The Gardening Club have worked hard over the course of the last academic year to build raised beds and grow vegetables and flowers for the school. They have also looked at ways to use rainwater for the garden and have sourced equipment from local garden centres.
The Prep School pupils were also praised for their efforts in planning and developing their recent award-winning ‘Fit For A King’ Show Garden, which was on display at the 2023 Suffolk Show and awarded silver by judges. The project saw the children design and plan their garden and then tend and care for it ahead of showcasing it to the public.
During this initiative the children learnt about the visual impact of a garden, considering the plants and their needs, as well as the impact of weather, ensuring young plants were sheltered and watered. The children also enhanced their knowledge about growing seasons, thinking about when the plants would flower. This planning process of designing on paper to creating the final garden gave the children time to reflect on what went well and what they could improve.
Staff member overseeing the Gardening Club and Head of Outdoor Education at the Prep School, Jo Drury said: “I am so proud of every member of the club for achieving this award. Our pupils have been actively involved in various gardening activities for the past year, showing immense dedication, skill, and teamwork. We have continued big plans for the school garden and what we can achieve in the future, to support the school’s eco credentials. We would love to see more of our pupils join the club and reap the benefits.”
A huge well done to all involved – watch this space for further updates on the Gardening Club’s achievements during the course of the forthcoming 23/24 academic year.
