The Gardening Club Personal Development Activities (PDA) students at Malton School have achieved Gold again in the Yorkshire in Bloom Young People’s Award for Schools & Youth Groups.
Around 120 students from Y7 to Y13 are involved with the gardening projects. The students who select gardening for their PDA, spend the final period of their extended day every Thursday outside working in the gardens.
Helen Wilson, Assistant Headteacher, who heads up the gardening team, said the win was all the more remarkable because students took on a huge new project this year.
She said: “They have developed an area of the school in the East Wing which surveys had shown were considered by students to be sterile and devoid of nature, so ripe for redevelopment.
“Over the spring and early summer, the team, encouraged by staff, and with support from parents, farms and local businesses, created four giant planters to be planted with small trees and perennials as well as a mix of annuals.
“By the time of the judging, the area in the East Wing Quad had been completely transformed. Even more incredibly, it had been created by recycling and upcycling, using material from fences that had blown down, along with the remains of two greenhouses which were flattened in the storms of 2024. This was noted by the judge who commented, “Well done to everyone involved making this such a lovely and diverse space for students at the school.”
Care for the environment forms a key part of the work, which was also noted by the judge. Not only have students created a compost system to utilise the waste generated, but biodiversity has also been increased with the large number of pollinators that have been grown and planted.
Mrs Wilson said: “The benefits aren’t just for students – the site team have seen a noticeable decrease in litter in those areas that have been developed and cultivated. The catering team, and wider school community, also benefit from the students’ hard work – be that harvesting rhubarb to make crumble for school lunches, or potatoes to go in meals. This is when the work of the team becomes truly field to fork.”
“The team also works closely with other local community organisations and groups –Helmsley Walled Garden provide inspiration for our students, as well as inviting students to visit once a year. The local Scout group, which meets in school, has also adopted two beds to help their members work towards their gardening badges.
Mrs Wilson added: “We are delighted that the students’ hard work, dedication and inspiration has been recognised again this year. It’s so rewarding to see students enjoying work in the gardens, and see them become so much more connected to nature. In the run up to judging many of them also put in extra hours to ensure the gardens were in top condition. But they are also supported by an incredible staff team who fully encourage the students in their endeavours.”
“Plans for 2026 include using the National Education Nature Park software to map the different habitats around the school site. There is also the challenge of seeing whether they can make it three out of three.”
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