Mawnan School Nature Garden

Believe in tomorrow

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. 

We have created a garden where our children, and our wider village community, help protect the natural world, investing in a better tomorrow for us all. 

From making compost to nurturing seedlings, this garden is a hive of hands-on organic gardening activity. 

The sound of birdsong, the shade of trees, the smell of wildflowers - our children get to experience nature firsthand, helping them become guardians of its future.   

Our story

We started in 2020 with a narrow strip of grass on the edge of the school playing field and a tatty old polytunnel. 

Thanks to the generosity of our local community and donations from charitable trusts, we raised a staggering £21,000 to bring our nature garden vision to life. 

We now have a garden built to last - a re-covered polytunnel now full of growth, an organic composting system, a gazebo for shelter, a seating area for lessons or simply a place to rest, espaliered fruit trees that give gentle dappled shade, sturdy raised beds for all sorts of growing, a new orchard and meadow area, and a rotting log pile for minibeasts, birds and insects to call their own. 

In four years we have created a truly wildlife-friendly nature garden that educates children about growing and gardening. It has also become a treasured sanctuary, a place for everyone to relax, reflect and restore their wellbeing. 

Growing and learning together

The garden is used for active outdoor learning and to improve all aspects of the school curriculum, but particularly in areas on the environment, climate, natural sciences and sustainable growing practices. 

We run a thriving after-school Gardening Club, growing a range of fruit and vegetables. Starting in Spring with seed sowing, mulching and preparing beds, the children see the fruits of their labour  in the Autumn, tasting everything they grow. 

Our project has been endorsed by Professor Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science and Collections at the RHS.

“Fabulous project! There is an increasing body of scientific evidence showing that connecting children and people with plants and nature through growing is essential for their mental and physical health. 

There are very few, if any, other activities that can achieve all of the things that growing plants can – in particular, the measurable impact on active lifestyles and mental wellbeing. Keep up the great work.”

How we garden 

We adopt a circular way of gardening, using organic practices for sustainable food growing. We make our own compost from garden, fruit and vegetable waste. Rainwater butts reduce our mains water usage. 

We collect our own seeds, which helps with understanding the provenance of homegrown food.

Knowledge and skills gained in this garden will last a lifetime, encouraging children to make sustainable choices and behavioural changes outside the school gates. 

Trees and hedges

We have planted 15 semi-mature native tree species in the garden, including field maple and hawthorn. 

We are establishing an area of meadow grass where traditional Cornish orchard trees have been planted to attract pollinators. 

At least 20m of native hedgerow has  been planted on the school grounds, with native standard trees planted within.

Help us grow

We have created a wonderful community asset but further funding is essential in order to maintain it and keep us growing. Money raised here will go directly towards the garden’s planting and maintenance budget. 

Every donation will be gratefully received, every penny spent wisely. A donation of £5 would buy a perennial herb that will have a lasting impact on the garden.

£10 would buy a wildlife-friendly shrub,  £100 a semi-mature espaliered apple tree.

A small school with a big heart

As we hope you can see, we are a friendly, happy, close-knit school community whose values of perseverance, hope, trust, respect, peace and compassion are lived through our garden. 

We love having fun outdoors and are inspired by nature - it helps us all to grow. 

“The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies”

 We hope that you can help us! Thank you for reading.