Outdoor classroom

This 20 m2 garden was designed and built using parent power for children at a primary school. It combines raised beds for children to grow their own, a fruit garden, animal enclosure for the school pet rabbits, a mural, flower borders and plenty of seating. The garden is now used by an after school gardening club and by classes for gardening, art and literacy activities

The design makes best use of natural light in a courtyard surrounded by high walls. Another challenge was a large Magnolia grandiflora which was 'crown lifted' by a local tree surgeon to allow in more light. The shady space below had shallow soil, full of tree roots. Tree stumps, branches, ferns and lots of compost were added to make a 'stumpery' which soon became a fairy garden and a favourite part of the garden.

Funded & managed by Kent House PTA. Benches and seating made by Men In Sheds. c. 50% of plants donated by the local community, Mural by Alex Milway based on designs by children.

Shed	Raised bed	Kitchen garden
Seasonal colour	Fairy garden	Herb garden
Mural	Seasonal colour	Insect hotel
Fairy garden	Seating circle under construction	Sustainable larch timber
Filling raised beds	Before	Before - Shed & fairy garden