Kingsmead School was awarded a £200 grant to cover the cost of bulbs, seeds and compost. The funding would support the school’s goal of enhancing biodiversity by attracting a variety of bees, bugs and birds into the garden through planting wildflowers and creating bug hotels and bird feeders.
The project was important to Kingsmead School as it provided an opportunity to bring its values of Resilience, Innovation, Mindfulness and Employability to life through the plants and flowers chosen for the garden, including:
Herbs that thrive and bloom after harsh weather, reflecting resilience
Unique and eye-catching plants that represent innovation
Flowers chosen for their calming qualities, supporting mindfulness
Plants that naturally repel pests, demonstrating employable skills
The school received valuable support from the local community to bring the project to fruition, including volunteer gardeners, as well as donations of plants and seeds. Pupils also played an active role throughout the project and were encouraged to participate in gardening enrichment activities as part of their learning.
The completed garden has resulted in a safe space that supports students’ mental wellbeing, encourages learning and improves biodiversity. The garden is used across the school’s curriculum, providing a setting for nature-themed performances in drama, biodiversity studies in science and a variety of other outdoor learning activities.