Get cooped-up kids out

Lessons don’t have to stop in the classroom. School gardens help pupils learn about nature and their environment – and we have had some brilliant ones entered into our Cultivation Street competition so far.

At St Peter’s Junior School, 70 children regularly join in the lunchtime and after-school gardening club, making it just the sort of community project we’re looking for.

It’s been going for three years and is growing from strength to strength.

Kay Doncaster, helper at the Derby school, said: “A big task for now is remodelling the entrance to the garden. We removed a tunnel archway, which allowed us to sort out our climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckles.

“We’re really lucky to have three wildlife ponds and we can often hear the frogs calling as we work.

“We have lots of projects happening, too, helping the children learn lots of things. And, thanks to a generous donation of 500 purple crocuses, some rich colours have been added and they look brilliant by the main entrance of our school.”

The winning school lands £2,000 of vouchers, second place gets £1,000 and the runner-up gets £500. There’s still time to get your school involved.

Overall, we have £20,000 of National Garden Gift Vouchers up for grabs, with prizes for community gardening project and best-tended streets.

Visit cultivationstreet.co.uk for more information and to sign up by July 31.