MALVERN SHOW GARDEN 2024

Brainstorming

The brainstorming process commenced at the start of the academic year, using the 'Magic of Music' as the theme. 

"The idea of entering the show this year has been driven by the pupils themselves. When we were given the theme, ‘The Magic of Music’, the pupils were thrilled. Their ideas flowed and for every pupil, staff and adult involved there were so many different paths that we could have chosen to go down. We began by brainstorming our ideas, bouncing ideas off one another and looking for visual inspiration which could be transformed into a garden."


  

    
  
      

  

    

Designing

Working with our DT department, students got to work on some of the animated structures that make up their garden design. 

"From the weird and wonderful ideas, we were all agreed on following the yellow brick road and using the Wizard of Oz as our inspiration. Once this was decided, the pupils' enthusiasm grew and grew, we thought about what structures we would like to include and the position of the yellow brick road.

However, without doubt, the most thought was given to the planting, how could we recreate a beautiful rainbow out of flowers.

From the beginning we were determined to create a sustainable garden using recycled materials and doing as much of the planting from cuttings and seeds as possible.

Throughout the design process we have thought about structures and planting that would encourage wildlife into our garden, from our recycled table bug hotel to the pollinating plants."


The final design for our show garden:



  

  

  

  

    

Planting

Pupils worked through the dark Winter months from September 2023 up until show day in Summer Term 2024.

"The design of this garden lends itself to some vibrant planting and the pupils avidly researched which plants would be at their best in May. However, this area has been the most challenging because the British weather has been so unpredictable with an extremely warm late winter, which meant many of our bulbs flowered far too early.

The pupils demonstrated their resilience and, although they were disappointed, quickly thought hard about how to adapt and change to fit our design. Pupils have sown seeds, pricked out seedling, potted plants on and cared for them.

Our aspiration is that by 9th May 2024, everything will be at its best and we can show a beautiful rainbow of colour."

    

    

Creating

From creating clay tiles for the edge of the garden to building sustainable wooden structures, this part of the project has been one of the most rewarding aspects for the pupils, with all year groups across the School involved in some aspect of the design. 

"All involved were keen to get started on building the structures for our garden, the Bromsgrove School community were extremely supportive, donating wood, barrel, bricks, broken musical instruments, etc.

The DT departments at both Prep and Senior School have played a fundamental role in helping the pupils turn an old table into Dorothy’s Bug House and an old barrel into the Tin Man to name but a few. The ideas have evolved throughout the project due to restrictions of time and resources.

The pupils have developed new skills and had the opportunity to work together with mixed aged groups from Sixth Formers to Year 3.

The show has given the School the opportunity to come together, with every pupil having the opportunity to take part and produce a garden which they are proud of."

     

  

    

   

    

          

  


 

Video Blog

Click here to view the video blog within our YouTube Channel, or simply just watch below. 



There are a number of videos in our blog series, which you can also watch separately below:
Brainstorming
Designing
Creating 
Planting

The Big Build

Day 1 of the Build - The Malvern Spring Show 2024 has arrived and we are excited to start the big build of our show garden. 

  




Day 2 of the Build - Transporting more plants to the Malvern Spring Show, and getting the structure of the garden down.

Back in the classroom, pupils are putting the finishing touches to the musician bench that will feature in the show garden.

  




Day 3 of the Build - The framework is already up and we can already see how the garden might take shape. We can’t wait to see the finished result!

  


Day 4 of the Build - Another productive couple of days where the pupils have worked tirelessly despite the weather. Lots more soil transported into our garden, Emerald City installed, scarecrow stuffed, lion decorated and Tin Man put together. It’s coming together!

  

    


Day 7 of the Build - Our garden at the Malvern Spring Show is almost ready! It has been another productive day, with all the colours of the rainbow now planted, the Tin Man sitting in his position on the bench looking around the garden, and the yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City has been installed and planted. Just one final push tomorrow before judging on Wednesday.

  
  




Day 8 of the Build - Our ‘Over the Rainbow’ School garden complete and ready for judging tomorrow (Wednesday). The pupils and staff have enjoyed every part of the process and are already winners in our eyes.

  



  


Day 9 of the Build - The pupils have excelled themselves today talking to the judges. We await their comments tomorrow. We were lucky enough to see Arit Anderson and Joe Swift filming for Gardeners' World. Mr Marie also played us a visit and was impressed to witness the pupil’s enthusiasm, commitment and the wonderful garden they’d created first hand.

  

  

    

School Garden Winners 2024

Thursday, 9th May 2024: We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded ‘Best School Garden’ at the Malvern Spring Show.

The pupils and staff are thrilled to have their hard work and efforts recognised. The judges particularly liked the way the group used planting to tell the story - the twisted willow representing the tornado and the rainbow of colours represented by the plethora of flowers and plants.

Our garden ‘Over the Rainbow’ was admired in the sunshine, however, the highlight of the day was the way the pupils spoke passionately and confidently to the public.






Friday, 10th May 2024: Our pupils were real ambassadors for Bromsgrove School today,. The way they confidently and passionately explained every aspect of our garden was commented on throughout the day by members of the public.