Creating a garden for prayer

St Anne’s Church of England Primary School’s garden at a glance:

• Type of garden: school garden
• Location: Greater Manchester, England
• Budget: £500 to get started, £100 for maintenance per year
• Dimension: 50 square metres
• Implementation phase: started in May 2022, ongoing
• Key features: sensory path, seating areas, vegetable beds, rewilding zones, musical instruments, religious elements

How the wellbeing garden began

The wellbeing garden at St Anne’s Church of England Primary School in Trafford

The development of a spiritual garden at St Anne’s Church of England Primary School began in May 2022. Following research, discussions with staff and pupils as well as support from the wider community, the project was launched with the aim to lay the foundations for a calm, reflective outdoor space dedicated to prayer, mindfulness and outdoor learning.

Previously, much of the area had been unused green space, with limited planting and few opportunities for wellbeing activities in nature. Today, the space balances beauty, functionality and sustainability. By incorporating sensory plants, quiet seating areas and interactive elements such as vegetable beds and rewilding zones, pupils can now connect with nature, improve their mental health and develop a sense of responsibility through growing and caring for plants.

Budget and process

In the spiritual garden, a quiet seating area creates the perfect environment for prayer

Every pupil at St Anne’s has had a voice in shaping the spiritual garden. Different areas have been developed since the project started, with the main space being the spiritual garden, designed to encourage prayer, mindfulness and quiet contemplation. Here, quiet seating areas sit alongside a sensory path filled with herbs and peaceful natural elements that invite reflection and spiritual connection, such as a water feature. There are also cultural elements that reflect the school’s faith identity, including a cross-shaped planter created by a talented parent. A willow structure resembling a crown was also made to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Late Queen Elizabeth II.

This space is used for RE (Religious Education) and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) lessons, allowing pupils to explore faith, values and personal reflection in a tranquil outdoor environment. At times, the school’s church, St Anne’s, uses the spiritual garden for community events such as a prayer trail, helping to strengthen links between the school and the parish community.

“However, this space is inclusive and welcoming to pupils of all beliefs and backgrounds. It is a quiet area where everyone can reflect, pray or simply enjoy a calm moment outdoors, supporting pupils’ spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing,” said Victoria Ruddy, Climate and Sustainability Lead and D&T Lead at St Anne’s.

Other areas include a nursery raised vegetable bed, where grow-your-own activities are regularly held to help children understand where food comes from, and rewilding zones across the school grounds, where native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

wildflowers and grasses such as poppies , daisies , clover and buttercups attract pollinators and other wildlife. Here, pupils take an active role in increasing biodiversity

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.

by making bird feeders, building bug hotels and scattering seeds. “This not only enhances our local ecosystem but also reinforces the importance of caring for God’s creation, instilling in pupils a sense of responsibility as stewards of the Earth,” said Victoria.

In 2025, a seasonal flower zone was also created with daffodils , crocuses , nasturtiums and forget-me-nots , allowing children to observe flowers as they grow.

“Our planting changes each year depending on pupil interests, curriculum links and seasonal growing conditions, but we always aim to include a mix of sensory plants, edible crops and wildlife-friendly planting,” said Victoria.

RHS Plants for Pollinators

Learnings: what challenges did you encounter?

Caring for plants during the summer holidays is one of the main challenges

“Ensuring the growing spaces are regularly maintained alongside a busy school timetable has been a significant challenge,” explained Victoria. “Staff and pupils have worked hard to incorporate gardening into the curriculum and daily routines so that the spaces are cared for consistently.”

Establishing plants and wild areas has been particularly difficult due to changing weather conditions. “Plant survival over the hot summer holidays is especially challenging, as regular watering and maintenance are harder to manage when the school is closed.” On the positive side, however, this has helped pupils learn about the importance of planning and caring for living things.

Securing funding and resources has not been easy either, with the project relying heavily on donations and community support. 

Two of the planters funded by Family and Friends of St Anne’s

“Our local allotment group has kindly donated plants and parents have also contributed both plants and their time. The Family and Friends of St Anne’s have funded planters and gardening equipment, and in 2025, a £50 voucher from the RHS School Gardening Awards helped us to purchase seeds and other resources.”

How to care for school gardens in summer

Learnings: what went well?

Bug hotels have been built by both pupils and parents

Incorporating outdoor musical instruments in the spiritual garden, such as a large xylophone and a glockenspiel, has been a big success in supporting the children’s emotional regulation. “These instruments help pupils relax, express themselves creatively and engage with the environment through sound, contributing to a calming and reflective outdoor atmosphere,” said Victoria.

The spiritual garden has also increased engagement in RE, PSHE and science, and has fostered strong collaboration with parents, staff and the wider local community, who have been essential in creating beautiful and thriving green spaces at the school. Parents have donated plants, compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

bins and water butts, but also shared their time and expertise and built structures like a bug hotel. The Friends and Families of St. Anne’s funded the spiritual garden and wooden planters and the Recycle for Greater Manchester scheme donated a tonne of compost.

“I’m constantly engaging with our local Facebook groups, where I’ve received donations of tomato plants, herbs and seeds. Also, we’ve had success in reaching out to our local allotment community, which has kindly shared spare plants, and we participate in the Grow Your Own Potatoes initiative, which allows us to apply for free packs of potatoes for each class.”

Allotments – all you need to know

Impact of the wellbeing garden so far

Thanks to the collective efforts of the school, pupils’ parents and the local community, the wellbeing garden has flourished into the vibrant space it is today

The growing spaces at St Anne’s Church of England Primary School have become an essential part of supporting the mental, physical and social wellbeing of everyone at the school. Even the youngest pupils are now confident in identifying a variety of plants and herbs, which gives children a sense of purpose and achievement and helps to develop their self-esteem.

“One of the most rewarding successes is the pure joy on pupils’ faces as they watch their crops grow and harvest their own produce. Pupils love picking tomatoes and strawberries and eating them at breaktimes, which feels magical for them and truly special to witness as a teacher,” said Victoria.

The spiritual garden has become a safe place where pupils feel regulated and grounded, and where they can confidently talk to adults. The sensory experience of working with plants, whether it’s the texture of the soil, the smell of herbs or the vibrant colours of flowers, also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.