www.surrey gardens trust.co.uk

One of the Surrey Gardens Trust's principal aims is to encourage the development and use of school grounds as a learning environment. We believe that if children can learn about the natural world by becoming involved in appreciating and caring for a garden round their school, they will continue to value the land around them in future life.

INVESTMENT in GROUNDS brings GAINS in
LEARNING • AESTHETICS • CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Many schools have reported improvements in: social behaviour; a sense of pride and ownership; motivation and interest; a reduction in accidents.

Part of the wildlife garden at Clandon C of E Infant School which won an award in 2009, showing the site before and after construction. It includes a bird feeding station and birdbath; a 'Bug Hotel' made from recycled pallets; nectar rich flowers to encourage bees and butterflies; a water butt for harvesting rain water to water the garden; a new pathway; and a quiet seating area from which to enjoy and watch the wildlife.

As well as offering advice and assistance to schools, the Surrey Gardens Trust makes an ANNUAL FINANCIAL AWARD.

As in the previous year the AWARD FOR SCHOOLS 2011 related to Foundation Stage, Key Stages One and Two. The aim was to create a garden which will facilitate children’s learning through talk, play and environmental awareness. It was publicised to all primary and infant schools in Surrey.

Twenty applications for an award were received by the closing date at the end of the summer term 2011. These were judged by the Schools Committee and the sum of £2,500 made available by the Trust’s Council was apportioned between the following schools as a contribution to the funding of their stated projects:

Surrey School Grounds Forum (www.fours.co.uk) offers training courses, resources and support to enable schools to make the best use of their external environment.

Brookwood School, Woking	Planters and benches
Grayswood C of E School, Haslemere	Living wall & replanting of secret garden
The Greville Primary School, Ashtead	Greenhouse and willow structures
Horley Infant School, Horley	To develop Year 1 outside classroom
Malden Manor Primary & Nursery, New Malden	Sensory garden
Marden Lodge Primary School, Caterham	Six wooden raised beds
Nutfield Church (C of E) Primary, Redhill	Sensory garden
Shere C of E Infant School, Shere	Outdoor classroom garden
St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Primary St Johns, Woking	Garden projects
St Paul’s C of E Primary School, Addlestone	Creation of a garden to support Lasting Change project
Walsh C of E Junior School, Ash	Development of a sensory garden