Celebrating National Children’s Gardening Week at Aurora

At Aurora, outdoor learning is an important part of our teaching practice. We know how meaningful it can be for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to spend time in nature, helping nurture not just plants, but confidence, communication skills and wellbeing.

To celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week we’re proud to share some of the fantastic projects taking place across our schools.

 

Award-winning Aurora Hedgeway School

It’s been an exciting month for Aurora Hedgeway School, who have recently received two brilliant accolades, the Woodland Trust Green Tree Gold Award and the Level 5 RHS Gardening Schools Award!

Pupils have been getting involved by planting trees on school grounds with a local Scout group, germinating plants to gift to community members, and growing fresh produce for use in the school kitchen. Students also took part in tree dressing, tree hugging, outdoor classroom days and more.

Cheryll Hall, Outdoor Learning Coordinator, said:

“It’s been a lot of hard work and determination which could not have been achieved without the legendary students and their superb teaching assistants. I am so proud of every single person who has participated!”

Staff and students are also working towards achieving their Hedgehog Friendly Campus, Eco Schools Award with distinction and Modeshift stars excellent award – watch this space!

Read more about Aurora Hedgeway School’s Forest School in Cheryll’s blog.

 

Highgrove at Aurora Woodlands School

At Aurora Woodlands School, pupils tend to a special outdoor learning area called Highgrove. This space allows our young people to connect with nature while developing practical and environmental skills.

Together the staff and students are working to achieve Level 4 in the RHS School Gardening Awards. So far this spring, pupils have planted a wildflower garden, sown vegetable seeds and grown willow trees from cuttings. They’ve also built greenhouse-style planters and created new wildlife habitats to encourage biodiversity. Highgrove now boasts a wildlife pond, hedgehog hideaways and a hibernaculum - a special shelter to protect creatures through the winter.

We’re incredibly proud of Greg Smalley, the school’s Forest School teacher, who was recently recognised by HRH King Charles for his contributions to education.

Read more about Greg’s recent visit to Buckingham Palace.

 

A living classroom at Aurora Eccles School

Aurora Eccles School in Norfolk is buzzing with activity thanks to an exciting eco-council project led by students and staff. With the help of Phil and Terri from Practical Plants, they are transforming the school grounds into a wildlife haven. Their mission is to increase biodiversity and create vital habitats for pollinators. So far, pupils have planted spring bulbs to form a colourful wildlife corridor, built a bug hotel from recycled materials and learnt about the importance of pollinator-friendly plants like lavender, echinacea and black-eyed Susans. This is a collaborative project that connects environmental science with hands-on learning. Zoe Nicholls, Forest School Practitioner at Aurora Eccles said:

“It’s about creating a greener, more wildlife-friendly space while involving children in every step of the journey.”

Huge thanks to Practical Plants for donating plants to our school and for inspiring our pupils. Learn more about this innovative collaboration by watching the video below.

Whether it’s planting trees, building habitats or harvesting vegetables, these projects show how gardening can help our children and young people to learn, collaborate and develop environmental responsibility. During National Children’s Gardening Week, and all year round, we’re proud to help children grow - both in the classroom and beyond.