The deadline is fast approaching for the Trust’s annual Schools Awards. If you are involved with any Surrey primary, junior, infant and nursery schools or know of any that would benefit from improving their schools grounds or creating an outdoor learning space then please let them know about our Schools Awards and that the deadline for applying is 31 March 2023. Further details can be found here.
For over 20 years, Surrey Gardens Trust has been awarding money to local schools to improve their school grounds and to create, or further develop, a garden that would facilitate children’s learning through play and environmental awareness. We believe that if children can learn about the natural world by becoming involved in appreciating and caring for a garden around their school, they will continue to value the land around them in future life.
Last year the Trust received over 40 applications from Primary, Junior, Infant and Nursery schools. We were able to award a total of £6,225 including £725 raised selling teas and cakes at Dunsborough Park Tulip Festival. In addition, we are also supported by Squires Garden Centres who kindly give us £200 worth of garden vouchers to distribute to eligible schools. Grants were awarded to 37 schools and ranged in value from £300 to £60. This year we have a record £7,000 in awards plus £200 worth of garden vouchers from Squires.
Frimley Church of England School
Here our some comments from schools that received awards last year. As you can see, gardens and outdoor space for learning about the natural world is extremely important to these children and their well-being.
Thank you so much for awarding £100 for our grow house. This money will be put to fantastic use and will really help with our plans for vegetable growing with the children.
Thank you so much for your email and as you can imagine, it was smiles all around at school this week. Our outside environment is so precious to us and £200 will make such a impact on the development of our sensory garden for the children.
We have quite a team of budding horticulturalist in the school, and I know that our environment has been instrumental in motivating the children to find out about and love growing plants