Green blazers and green fingers: CHS’s ‘Secret Garden’ to be displayed at RHS Flower Show
Visitors to RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park will see how CHS is ‘Opening Doors’ in sustainability by showcasing its pupil-built planter, The Secret Garden.
Selected by the RHS for inclusion as part of its Campaign for School Gardening, CHS’s build will use up-cycled materials and include magical mini bug hotels designed by the School’s Year 4 pupils, fairy doors, vintage keys, a wormery, recycled book planters and pupils’ own bug creations.
Commenting on the inspiration behind The Secret Garden’s wildlife-friendly design and the School’s chosen theme of ‘Opening Doors’, CHS Junior School Teacher and Eco coordinator, Mrs Yvonne Lyng said: “The concept can be interpreted in two ways: finding a key to unlock the potential in a child’s imagination through reading, creativity and exploring the unknown, and also to unlock the door to sustainability.”
She continued: “Our planter’s fairy doors are inspired by CHS’s iconic front entrance steeped in history. The 4Rs of sustainability: reuse, recycle, reduce, rethink will be on the other side of the doors. There is also a plant pot child reading about sustainability at the forefront of the garden to portray a CHS Eco Warrior enjoying the freedom to explore a whole new chapter!”
CHS’s contribution to the show will see pupils and staff involved across the school; led by CHS Junior School, with support from CHS Estates Team and the Senior School Design & Technology Department, building will take place on site at Tatton in the days leading up to the event.
Speaking on the benefits to CHS pupils and the appeal of the project’s eco theme, Mrs Lyng said: “As well as having lots of fun, this creative project at Tatton will not only enable our young Waconians to practise their design and making skills, they will also work collaboratively whilst enhancing their understanding of biodiversity and sustainability which they are currently learning about. I know our pupils will be especially proud to see their hard work on display.”
The project aligns with CHS’s own Green Plan initiative to become Carbon NetZero by 2030.
CHS Junior School is also a member of Eco-Schools as it continues to develop a strong environmental ethos amongst its young Waconians, by instilling how gardening impacts wider biodiversity and climate change whilst nurturing their curiosity and passion for plants and wildlife.
Flower fans can see CHS’s Secret Garden at RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park between 19 – 23 July.
To learn more about Cheadle Hulme School’s Green Plan visit www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/the-green-plan/
