The OVO Foundation Nature Prize

Downsview Primary School won a £1,000 OVO Foundation Nature Prize with their original idea to create a nature trail and sensory garden on the school site. After some initial problems with delayed deliveries, staff and students have worked incredibly hard to get the spaces up and running and create opportunities for students to be outside.  

The school is lucky to have large grounds, but until recently, these spaces were under-used. Over the past few years, there has been a big effort to maximise the outdoor space so students and the wider community can make the most out of it. Ms. Sanchez, the school’s Spanish teacher and Sustainability Lead, has been leading the change, working alongside the school’s business manager to find different funding opportunities.  

 As the grounds are large, the school is working to create different areas that provide different experiences for the students. They already have an outdoor classroom and playing fields, so wanted to create a separate, designated sensory garden where students can go to sit-in and experience nature.  

The goal was to create a serene place where students could sit calmly and explore using all their senses. With the prize money, the school bought some benches with attached planters, different sensory plants and grasses, and a wooden teepee which will hold some nature books as well as binoculars for students to look at the birds. Wind-chimes and mobiles are also dotted around to complete the sensory space.  

Now the garden is complete, different groups can start using and enjoying the space. Students from the SEND unit will take some of their lessons in the garden, and all students are free to use the space during their breaks for some quiet time surrounded by nature. Parents and carers will even benefit from the garden; staff will be promoting it as the new waiting area at pick-up time.