An outdoor classroom to inspire
The outdoor Teaching Garden, where both children and adults will be able to learn, has been designed by Cleve West.
Cleve has worked closely with the RHS Education Department to ensure the Teaching Garden, an outdoor classroom, works as a curriculum resource for teachers and children. Exciting features include:
- A central hexagonal teaching area.
- The not-so-ordinary garden shed, with environmentally-sustainable features, such as a green roof and reclaimed timber.
- Wind turbine and solar panels to demonstrate how energy is harvested.
- A fruit and veg area, so children can get actively involved in growing healthy food.
- Compost heaps to demonstrate how integral recycling is within a garden.
- Minibeast towers, a pond and a variety of habitats to help children learn about the teeming life that exists in gardens.
The garden measures 23.95 x 13.85m (78.5 x 45ft), 500 sq m (600 sq yd).
‘It is a subtle garden,’ says Cleve. ‘The space can be seen as an ordinary garden, but with areas that children can explore and relate to their curriculum. It is about science, art and drama as well as gardens.’
‘I was given a free hand. The RHS wasn’t that specific about what had to be put into the garden. I’ve kept it understated - I did not want to go down the 'Disney' route. Children need to look and discover for themselves.’
His rectangular garden focuses on a hexagonal hub enclosed by hornbeam hedging and wooden seats for 30 children. This is where children gather to be briefed by teachers before dividing into groups of six to look round the garden and get their hands dirty.
Every element of the hard and soft landscaping is designed to be inspirational, educational and fun. A 15m (50ft) whispering tube, concealed in the earth boundary wall, gives children a chance to whisper to each other from one end of the garden without being overheard. It’s an original feature. Even the earth wall is innovative; it’s made from spoil from the lake.