OVO Foundation Nature Prize
Schools can win the cash to implement a community nature project. Schools from disadvantaged areas with high pupil premium are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications now closed.
St John's C of E Primary School, Bristol
Eco-team take charge of garden transformation
As an urban school with little on-site green space, staff and students at St John’s Primary School in Bristol used their prize money to transform a small, unused piece of land into a nature friendly garden.
The area, a small overgrown patch next to the playground, has been developed into two sections: a no-dig vegetable garden and learning area, and a rewilded space with birdhouses and bug hotels.
To help plan and install the no-dig garden and learning area, the school invited Tom Warmsley, from the Environmental Education Project, to come in and lead a garden installation day. As well as students from the school’s Eco-Team and parent volunteers, a group of OVO volunteers also came to help with the project.
Together, the team built raised beds out of offcuts, planted a willow archway and raspberry cane area, along with a new compost system. Tom and the team also created an outdoor seating area out of recycled wood, so the garden can be properly used and enjoyed by whole classes.
During the day, the Eco-Team from the school’s junior site – Lower Redland- came to plant onions, garlic, broad beans, and daffodil bulbs. Students also had the chance to design colourful slate signs for the veg beds and upcycle tin cans into plant pots.
As for the space’s second section, students have been busy turning it into a nature reserve, putting up bird houses and bug hotels to encourage more biodiversity and wildlife onto the site.
“I’ve had so many comments from the staff and children about how fantastic the new garden space looks – the Eco Team children had such a great time and have been so full of excitement and enthusiasm about our new improved garden.”
Ms Allenby, teacher and Eco-Lead
Making sure as many people can benefit from the new green spaces as possible is a key priority for St John’s. They have already held some Eco-Garden days where community members are invited in to spend time and help in the garden. As part of the Avon Eco-Schools Network, the school also hopes to share the garden with local schools with limited access to green space, as well as exchanging learnings and tips.
Going forwards, the school has plans to connect with their local park community conservation group – the Redland Green Park Volunteers, to learn from their expertise. The school also has ties with the local care home and hope to foster these by inviting residents to the garden and sharing its produce.
Looking to the local community and local networks, like the Environmental Education Project, for help and expertise, was integral to the project’s success. The garden installation day, which you can read more about here, was a great example of how bringing in outside help can maximise impact. Under the expert guidance of Tom, the installation day doubled as a learning opportunity for students and staff, teaching new practical skills and building confidence.
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