Kevin Smith
Winsford Education Project Organiser
For the past three years Kevin Smith has been coordinating the Winsford Education Project exhibit at Tatton Park, as well as overseeing gardens designed and built by his own special school, Oaklands as part of the project. In the lead up to the show, RHS Online appraised his course outline...
Royal Horticultural Society What are you up to at Tatton this year Kevin?
Kevin Smith This year we have 20 nursery rhyme-themed front gardens being built by 18 schools, one children’s centre and one for the Head Teachers in Industry ‘Go for it’ Award.
Coming to something as prestigious as the RHS Show Tatton really fires the children up
RHS Three years ago there were eight schools taking part, last year it went up to 12 and now there are 20 gardens, to what do you attribute this rash of show fever in the schools?
KS They are really keen. All the children love gardening and growing things and getting mucky and the idea of coming to something as prestigious as the RHS Show Tatton really fires them up and you get much more out of them.
RHS Why is it so good for the children to do it?
KS They can get hands-on with something real. They have to do everything, grow everything work to a budget. Some of my youngsters are doing GCSE maths at the moment, so we get them to calculate how many plants we will need, which isn’t easy, then they have to add the VAT on top. It gives them a taste of real life.
RHS The children at Oaklands have special educational needs. Is the experience especially beneficial for them?
KS Absolutely. Over and above any horticultural experience, it’s lessons in life. They learn to work together as a team to discuss things and they discover that they aren’t always right about things. It’s a fantastic skill for children to learn.
RHS Do you manage to get all your pupils involved?
KS We try to include as many as possible. Our roll call is 130 children and most years take something on, whether it’s the original design, the colour layout, selecting the plants, doing the research on the web, or actually building the garden.
RHS This is the first year the children are going to be allowed on site to build the garden. How are you going to decide who goes?
KS As in life, if you work hard and behave, then you’ll earn your place. An old-fashioned idea I know, but it’s fair. What’s fantastic is that they’re all on their best behaviour at the moment!
RHS You’re hoping to get judged this year, which would also be a first…
KS Yes, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The children are competitive they all want to do well and try their hardest and for their garden to look the best. They are so dedicated, this project really shows the nice side of what children can do.