The Year 2 class at Pennar Community School were recently shortlisted as finalists in the Royal Horticultural School Gardening Team of the Year Competition. This a prestigious UK-wide competition which celebrates the passion and creativity in school gardening. The competition shines a light on the powerful impact that gardening can have on children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
The pupils in Orange Class were so excited to be chosen as finalists as a result of the garden building project they have been involved in since January. They received a grant for the Welsh Arts Council’s Lead Creative School Scheme and with the help of their creative practitioner, Robert Jakes, a local sculptor and environmental artist, they decided they would like to build a nature garden to enhance the school environment and to provide homes for a greater variety of animals and birds.
As part of their garden building project, pupils have planted 120 saplings provided by the Woodland Trust, built giant minibeast hotels, built a mini pond and installed a huge bird bath in the centre of their garden. They have also taken part in minibeast surveys and the RSPB Big School’s Bird watch to find out about the creatures currently living in the school grounds.
This dedicated team of young gardeners have become increasingly aware of environmental issues and are able to recognise that we can have both a positive and a negative impact on the world around us. They have won several awards for their outdoor work, including the RHS Level 3 Award, the RSPB Wildlife Action Silver Award and the Woodland Trust Gold Award. They continue to work hard to improve and maintain their nature garden.
Only four schools were selected as finalists in the competition and Pennar was the only primary school in the UK to have been selected, as well as being the only school in Wales.
Mrs. Taylor, the class teacher, said: “I am extremely proud of all that the children have achieved this year. They have worked so hard in all kinds of weather to create their garden. Their skills of collaboration have greatly improved and it is an absolute joy to watch them working together in their garden. Even though we didn’t win the competition, I feel it is a fantastic achievement for pupils of such a young age to be recognised as part of such a prestigious competition.”
As a finalist, Pennar has won a Gabriel Ash upright cold frame, along with an engraved trowel, a set of gardening gloves and £250 in National Garden gift vouchers.
The overall RHS School Gardening Team of the Year award went to St. Gregory’s Catholic Science College in London. Further details about the competition can be found on the RHS Campaign for School Gardening website: