Schools
One of Surrey Gardens Trust's principal aims is to encourage schools to improve their 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.
The Trust makes small grants to Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 schools to assist with project that improve their school grounds and give children the opportunity to grow plants and to extend their wider learning of the environment. The Trust has given awards to over 100 Surrey schools during the past 10 years. Awards can range between £25 to £500 depending on level of staff and pupil participation, sustainability and evidence of a maintenance plan.
Surrey Gardens Trust Awards for Schools
Grants totalling over £65,600 have been awarded to schools since 1997. For 2025 we have just awarded £7,008 to 36 schools.
applications have now closed for 2025.
Schools Grant Awards in 2025
This year the Trust received 42 applications from Primary, Junior, Infant and Nursery schools across Surrey. We awarded a record £7,008 to 34 schools as well as £200 in garden vouchers to 3 schools through this scheme. The amounts given to each school varied depending on their requirements, with a range of smaller amounts or the Trust contributing to a particular part of a larger project. We would like to thank Squires Garden Centres for their generous donation of £200 worth of garden vouchers to distribute to eligible schools. They continue to support our work annually and we are most grateful.
The applications have been for a wide range of projects. Grants to buy basic garden equipment such as child-sized tools and gloves, watering cans, wheelbarrows and kneelers have been awarded. Many schools are constructing raised beds, and we have been able to help them purchase the necessary supplies such as railway sleepers and compost. As always schools are keen to create sensory gardens, hedges, herb beds and wildflower areas. Some schools wished to create a pond or renovate an existing one. Grow tunnels, greenhouses, willow screens and composters have all been requested this year. The standard of applications have been high because many have included detailed costings, evidence of children’s involvement, maintenance and sustainability.
The importance of well-maintained outside spaces in school grounds cannot be underestimated. They are vital for learning opportunities and the mental health and wellbeing of children and staff.
Thank you to everyone who applied and congratulations to every school that received a Schools Grant Award this year.
Photos above taken at Freemantles School, Woking (recipient of a Schools Award in 2024)
Ideas for your school grounds improvement projects
Wildflower areas to attract bees, butterflies and insects
Growing plants from seeds
Installing raised beds
Buying tools and equipment
Building compost areas
Planting trees and hedges to attract wildlife
Creating a pond or bog garden to attract pond life
Creating a sensory garden
comments from recipient schools
“‘Many thanks for letting me know that our grant application was successful. The contribution of £280 is much appreciated and will be most helpful in enriching the children’s gardening experiences at school.’
’This is amazing news - thank you so much to you and your team. The children are so excited, and we’ll be planting out some of our home-grown seedlings in the coming weeks!’
’This is fantastic news, thank you so much! It will make such a difference to our allotments and gardens and extremely beneficial to the children.’
’This is such wonderful news. This money will help make our sensory garden vision become a reality.
Thank you again to you and all your members.’
’This is wonderful news. Thank you for accepting our proposals for improvements to our school pond.’
’We are delighted to hear that our application has been successful! We have had a lot of germination success over the holidays so are looking forward to having more space to grow things in. Thank you SO much for your generosity in a £300 grant.’
’We’re really looking forward to getting started and seeing the space come to life.’
’Thank you so much, this will be a huge help for our gardening club to grow.’”
additional resources
Schools can obtain valuable resources and information about a range of gardening based activities and primary science programmes about plants from the Gardens Trust. These resources are suitable for teachers as well as volunteers seeking to make a worthwhile contribution to educating children about gardening. Please visit the Gardens Trust for more information.