Acland Burghley Project

The Brutalist style architecture is a challenge but the leadership team has some great ideas and a lot of support.
Growing Green has planted a 100-plant strong hawthorn hedge in February '23. The school has also secured an amazing Hampton Court Festival show garden that was built in July 2023. Growing Green & friends came to volunteer.
Update February '24: The area surrounding the new garden has been planted with +1,000 daffodil bulbs and we eagerly await them popping up. We also sowed wildflower seeds to cover the grounds. School Food Matters is bringing their Know Your Onions programme to the space and will grow some vegetables with the students.  Growing Green has planted a mini orchard of 6 apple trees. Lots of climbers and woodland plants will follow in March to give the space a nice boost.

Rewilding Strategies
  • Spiky hawthorn hedge
  • Wildflower Meadow
  • Daffodils
  • Pond revamp
  • Daffodils are popping up
  • Before - the foxes have had a rubbish dump fest
  • The pond needs some TLC
  • Hard at work removing bramble roots
  • After (for now) - not much to see yet
Secret Garden Transformation

Work in progress ...

Late Winter '24: We are currently turning the secret garden into a space that students and staff can enjoy.  The space was very overgrown with bramble - which we love but it doesn't work that well if you want to make is usable for humans.

We removed the bramble, planted over 1,000 daffodil bulbs and are now in the process of developing the rest of the space with climbers and other wild-life friendly plants. The school is building benches so the area can be used as outdoor learning space.

Nurturing Nature in the City

Hampton Court Garden

Summer '23: The school is now the new home to this fantastic garden by Viriditas. It was all hands on deck and we were happy to help.

Hawthorn Hedge

Benefits

Winter 22/23: Planting of a hawthorn hedge.  Hawthorn is one of the best hedges for wildlife and it supports about 150 different species of insects. Bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects adore the lightly fragranced flowers that bloom in May as they provide an abundance of nectar and pollen. Moth caterpillars will feed on the foliage.  Birds such as Thrushes and Dunnocks can be found nesting in hawthorn whilst Blackbirds, Finches and Starling will feat on the red berries in autumn.

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