St Julian’s Church School in Wellow has won a Gold award in this year’s Bath in Bloom competition, recognised for its outstanding school grounds and commitment to gardening.
For a village school of around 100 pupils, it is a remarkable achievement. Judges visited in June and praised the diversity of planting across the grounds, and how much the school has accomplished since its entry the year before.
The heart of it all is the school’s gardening club, which meets every week during term time. It is run by class teacher Mrs Moss of Chestnut Class, alongside a team of parent volunteers.
“The children are completely hands-on, from sowing seeds to weeding and watering,” said Mrs Moss. “Watching them take real pride in what they’ve grown, and in each other’s efforts, has been the best part. This award belongs to them.”
For the children, gardening club is the highlight of the week.
“Gardening club is my favourite day of the week,” said seven-year-old Cressie Elliot. “We get to take home what we grow, and we even get to eat it! I like planting seeds and watching them turn into something.”
Bath in Bloom also singled out the school’s community involvement. Parents contribute regularly, and the school has built links with the wider village through the Wellow village plant sale and entries to the Wellow Village Horticultural Show.
Parent volunteer Marchelle Farrell said, “There is something quietly powerful about children with soil on their hands. They learn patience, they learn to notice the small changes, and they learn that they can look after a living thing. It’s a joy to be part of it, and to see how much the whole village has got behind it.”
As part of the award, the school received a haul of gardening goodies, including hand tools, gloves for the adult volunteers, a sack of daffodil bulbs, an acer tree, wildflower seeds, art materials and a selection of art and nature books.
Why not enter next year?
Bath in Bloom, one of Britain’s oldest ‘In Bloom’ groups, was founded in 1964. Its annual competition is free to enter and open to residents, businesses, community groups, allotment holders, schools and pubs within Bath and North East Somerset.
Local judges visit in June, and awards are presented at an informal evening in late summer. There is also a special category for schools.
To find out more or to enter, visit bathinbloom.org/schools.
For more information about St Julian’s Church School, visit www.stjuliansprimary.co.uk.
