school garden design

The garden at Alice Park Nursery was a very sloping and compact site. I designed a two level garden with an all-weather paved area next to the building connected by a gentle ramp to the next level which combines a grassy area for games, sensory border, raised beds for vegetable growing and a pergola for shade. I worked with the children once a month to plant up and maintain the garden until the staff felt confident to take over the gardening activity leadership.

When designing a school garden I work with staff, parents and children to make sure it is, practical, stimulating to all the senses, fun, accessible, curriculum led and as low maintenance as possible. I generally also provide regular sessions with the children or INSET courses so that staff know how to make the most of the new resources.

The Garden at Winsley Acorns Preschool was already lovely with a generous section of all-weather play surface as well as a lawn shaded by a beautiful mature Beech tree. The challenge here was to define a vegetable growing area and choose crops that would be productive even on a shady site. The other issue was that the entrance to the school was along a narrow path with a weedy border. Here the children and I weeded and planted herbs that would smell lovely if brushed against and be useful in school cookery sessions. Once again I worked with the children once a month to plant up and maintain the garden until the staff felt confident to take over the gardening activies.