Blackawton School Blooms with RHS Awards and ‘Dough and Grow Garden’ Launch

Pupils at Blackawton Primary School  are celebrating a green-fingered triumph after being awarded Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) School Gardening Awards.

This national recognition celebrates the children’s dedication to cultivating their school garden, learning horticultural skills, and using gardening to benefit both their education and the wider community. To mark this achievement, the school is gearing up to officially relaunch its new garden space, proudly named the ‘Dough and Grow Garden.’

The garden has become a vibrant hub for outdoor learning and sustainable living, thanks to the hard work of pupils, staff, and an enthusiastic network of community volunteers. Crops grown in the ‘Dough and Grow Garden’, including seasonal vegetables, herbs and worm tea, are sold after school or taken to the village shop, where they are sold to the public. This not only promotes sustainability but gives children firsthand experience of enterprise and community contribution.

The initiative has received generous support from local residents and businesses. With the support from teacher Vicky Harris, Blackawton’s pupils earned their RHS badges by learning how to sow, grow, compost, and care for their produce responsibly. With each level, they demonstrated increasing independence and ambition. The school now has its sights set on Level 4 and beyond, with big plans to expand the garden, enhance biodiversity, and involve even more members of the community.

Blackawton School would like to thank everyone who has helped make the ‘Dough and Grow Garden’ a success and invite the local community to visit, support, and enjoy the fruits of their labour and maybe taste one of their delicious pizzas from their garden clay oven at a community event being held later this term.

Liam Fielding, headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“We’re so proud of the children’s commitment, curiosity, and care for the environment. The Dough and Grow Garden is more than just a space to grow food, it’s a space to grow confidence, cooperation, and connection with the community.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all. It’s brilliant to hear that Blackawton pupils have received these prestigious awards from the RHS and amazing that they are able to share their produce with the local community.”

Blackawton Pupils Dive in to London Premiere of Sir David Attenborough's ‘Oceans’

A group of Year 3 pupils from Blackawton Primary School had the incredible honour of travelling to London this month as invited ambassadors to attend the premiere of ‘Oceans’, the latest film by Sir David Attenborough.

The special event brought together environmental leaders, educators, and young changemakers from across the UK, and Blackawton pupils stood out as shining examples of enthusiasm, curiosity, and impeccable behaviour. The invitation to attend the premiere was a result of the school’s ongoing work around sustainability and environmental education, areas that align closely with the messages of the film.

‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ is a powerful new documentary that premiered on Sir David Attenborough’s 99th birthday at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Featuring breathtaking footage and a compelling call to action, the film explores the beauty and fragility of the world’s oceans, highlighting urgent issues like climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The film supports global conservation efforts and offers a hopeful message about the potential for ocean recovery through collective action.

The day was not only unforgettable for the children, but also a powerful reminder of how education can connect pupils to the big issues of our time, equipping them to care for the planet and be part of a positive future.

Liam Fielding, headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“Our Year 3 children were absolute role models in every way during this amazing experience. From the moment they arrived, they represented their school and community with pride, and maturity beyond their years.

They embraced the day with excitement and respect, and their passion for learning about the natural world was clear to everyone they met. We are so proud of them.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“This was a truly unforgettable opportunity for our pupils to be part of something extraordinary. To attend the premiere of Sir David Attenborough’s latest film and represent their school as ambassadors is a testament to the values they nurture at Blackawton. Sustainability is a real strength of the school, and it’s inspiring to see such young learners engaging with global issues and showing such pride in protecting our planet. We couldn’t be prouder.”