Grove Primary School is thrilled to announce that its gardening efforts have been recognised at this year’s Lowestoft in Bloom competition, a long-running community initiative that celebrates efforts to enhance the town’s natural beauty, with a focus on encouraging flowers, wildlife, and sustainable gardening practices.

The school’s significant progress and hard work in transforming their gardens was recognised with the Most Improved School - Outstanding Achievement Gold Award, underscoring their commitment to creating environments where wildlife and plants can flourish.

In addition to the Gold Award, the school was also recognised with Highly Commended Silver Awards for two standout projects that captured both the judges’ attention and community spirit. The first award was for their innovative scarecrow display, themed around the 'This Girl Can' sporting campaign. This earned high praise for creatively combining an empowering message with a love for nature and the environment.

The second award acknowledged the students' dedication to their planting diary, where they documented their gardening journey. The project reflected their hands-on learning as they tracked plant growth, gained insights into sustainability and developed their enthusiasm for nature.

Lowestoft in Bloom judges, Sue Gabbitus and Jenny Hearth, were impressed with the children's hard work and creativity. They were particularly impressed by the ‘This Girl Can’ scarecrow display, noting how it showcased both the students' artistic talents and their awareness of important social issues.

Head of School, Rachel Kounnas, expressed her pride in the pupils’ accomplishments: “We are absolutely delighted with these awards. The gardening initiative has been a fun and valuable way for the children to connect with the natural world and understand their role in preserving it. These accomplishments truly reflect their dedication, teamwork, and passion for making a positive impact.”

Lynsey Holzer, CEO of The Active Learning Trust, said: “Grove Primary School’s achievements are a wonderful reflection of the rich educational experience this initiative has provided. Beyond their gardening skills, the pupils have shown how nature can inspire learning in a meaningful way.”

The school is excited to continue participating in Lowestoft in Bloom and looks forward to further developing their gardens and environmental projects in the years to come.