ST Julian’s Church School in Wellow has won a Gold award in this year’s Bath in Bloom competition for its outstanding school grounds and commitment to gardening.
Judges visited in June and praised the diversity of planting across the grounds, and how much the school has accomplished since its entry the year before.
The school’s gardening club is at the heart of all the green-fingered endeavors, run by Chestnut Class teacher Mrs Julia Moss, alongside a team of parent volunteers.
“The children are completely hands-on, from sowing seeds to weeding and watering,” said Mrs Moss.
“Watching them take real pride in what they’ve grown, and in each other’s efforts, has been the best part. This award belongs to them.”
For the children, gardening club is the highlight of the week.
“Gardening club is my favourite day of the week,” said Cressie Elliot. “We get to take home what we grow, and we even get to eat it! I like planting seeds and watching them turn into something.”
Bath in Bloom also singled out the school’s community involvement.
Parents contribute regularly, and the school has built links with the wider village through the Wellow village plant sale and entries to the Wellow Village Horticultural Show.
Parent volunteer Marchelle Farrell said: “There is something quietly powerful about children with soil on their hands. They learn patience, they learn to notice the small changes, and they learn that they can look after a living thing.
“It’s a joy to be part of it, and to see how much the whole village has got behind it.”
As part of the award, the school received a haul of gardening goodies, including hand tools, gloves for the adult volunteers, a sack of daffodil bulbs, an acer tree, wildflower seeds, art materials, and a selection of art and nature books.