Hampton Court House School has won a prestigious award from the Royal Horticultural Society for its school garden just two years after it was launched.

Two parents at the school first conceived the idea of a shared garden for pupils, staff and parents based on their passion for conservation and the environment.

They approached the school who enthusiastically accepted the idea as part of their own emphasis on the importance of children spending time outdoors and sustainability.

Since then, school volunteers have worked tirelessly to plan, plant and bring not one, but two gardens to fruition.

The weekly gardening club, run by parent volunteers with the help of teachers, supports the children's work to maintain these vital outdoor spaces.

The project has been so successful that the RHS has just awarded it its highest award possible for school gardens – the Level 5 School Garden Award - in recognition of the school's sterling achievement.

The school holds forest school classes, as well as utilising the gardens and neighbouring Bushy Park for outdoor learning.

The school holds forest school classes, as well as utilising the gardens and neighbouring Bushy Park for outdoor learning (Image supplied)

The parents planned the organic gardens to reflect and enhance these school-led initiatives.

The gardens offer a mix of fruit, vegetables and pollinator-friendly plants and are pesticide free.

Many parts of the gardens are constructed using recycled materials and sustainable practices, such as the 'no-dig' method to preserve soil health and minimize carbon release; and weeds are left in some areas to support biodiversity.

Not only have the gardens become a haven for wildlife but they also serve as quiet sanctuaries for students accessing counselling services, offering tranquil spaces for reflection. 

Children who spend time in the gardens have enjoyed observing and identifying species, including butterflies, dragonflies, bees, spiders, beetles, a toad, hedgehogs, and various birds."

The school's Principal Kate Vintiner said: "We are incredibly proud of the recognition we have received for our school garden project.

"In just two short years, it has become a thriving ecosystem reflecting the school's commitment to sustainability and community.

"From conception to fruition, it has been a collaborative project involving pupils, parents and staff in the very best traditions of Hampton Court House.

"It represents our emphasis on the importance of children spending time outdoors learning and indulging in mindful activities like gardening which are so powerful in the battle against every day anxieties and stresses."

She added: "We have always been at the forefront of schools recognising wellbeing as totally central to what schools should be concentrating on and a simple but powerful project like this has brought so many benefits to the school community."