Our Lady and St Joseph School pupils in Lymington win Royal Horticultural Society award.

GREEN fingered mini growers at Our Lady and St Joseph School in Lymington have received a Royal Horticultural Society award.

As part of the Ramley Road school’s commitment to providing a holistic school experience, all pupils enjoy gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their development.

Their year their efforts have earned the school an RHS Level 5 Award – the highest growing accolade a school can achieve. The school was also commended for placing gardening at the heart of daily life and working with the wider community on horticultural projects.

OLSJ executive headteacher Gerida Montague said: “Gardening and outdoor learning has shown direct benefits for children to be wide ranging. As well as improving physical and mental well-being, it builds life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication.

“It enriches the entire curriculum from science, maths and geography, to art, design and languages, whilst helping young people engage with their surroundings better and develop a sense of responsibility.”

All pupils have at least one outdoor and woodland learning session each week, working on the school environment and gardening.

Congratulating staff and pupils for their efforts in gaining the RHS award, Mrs Montague said: “Our curriculum extolls a hands-on approach to learning, encouraging every child to participate in all outdoor activities including gardening, forest school and the natural world.

“We are incredibly lucky to have Mrs Rothwell as our outdoor gardening and Forest Schools specialist.”