by Laura Cuttiford

This year everyone can enjoy one of the nation’s favourite flower shows at Hampton Court Palace in July.  A £250,000 initiative has been set up to encourage teachers to reap the benefits of teaching outside the classroom and into the garden.  Funded by the DfES and developed by television landscape designer Chris Beardshaw, the project is set to involve hundreds of children from twenty, specially selected schools throughout England.  The school children will be heavily involved with the creation and designs and will furthermore be advising as to why they feel gardens play an important role in their education.

This is an exciting and encouraging event where children will gain a deepened insight into the workings of the natural environment.  As well as promoting good health and an appreciation for nature, it may also represent a creative turning point for the national curriculum.

The garden display will eventually be relocated to a permanent location in the north of England, where it can be used as a training tool to help teachers see the benefits and ease of producing something similar themselves on school grounds.