Ashbridge Independent School and Nursery, based in Hutton, has won The Trevor Leese Award for Best School and the Community and Young Champions Award at the North West Britain in Bloom Awards. 

Britain in Bloom, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, is the most prestigious awards event in the gardening calendar. Its aim is to inspire groups to make positive changes to their environment through horticultural, environmental and community action.

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Ashbridge was nominated in two categories due to its exceptional outdoor learning programme, which includes Land Based Studies lessons for all school children and weekly gardening sessions for nursery children.

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Land Based Studies lessons incorporate all elements of gardening, including planting, growing, garden maintenance, and seasonal preparation. Over 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown in the garden, including produce not usually seen in Lancashire such as melons and grapes. Nursery children plant seeds and watch them grow, and children of all ages can fresh produce home to their families.

The Trevor Leese Award is named after the founder of Britain in Bloom and is awarded to an exceptional school each year. Ashbridge’s outstanding provision and commitment to teaching Horticulture at all ages was recognised, with judges delighted to see the work the school is undertaking on sparking a love for gardening in the next generation.

The Community and Young Champions awards are presented to those who have gone above and beyond to make their garden a success and for children under the age of 21 who have made an exceptional commitment to their garden.

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On winning the two awards, Headteacher Karen Metha said, “We are thrilled to win these two awards from such a distinguished organisation as the RHS and Britain in Bloom.

“They are a real testament to the hard work and commitment of our children, our Land Based Studies teacher Andrea Turner, and the wider outdoor team at the school.

“Gardening forms a key part of our unique curriculum and children of all ages take great pride in their gardens and the produce they grow.”

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