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Schools in Bloom
The 2024 Guildford Schools in Bloom Competition is OPEN for Entries
Let’s Help Schools Go Greener
Are you passionate about encouraging children to understand the benefits of gardening, growing food, and protecting wildlife?
Guildford in Bloom have been holding an annual School Competition for many years, designed for children to learn about gardening in a fun and creative way. We are genuinely amazed by the ideas and application that children can bring to gardening, from nursery level up to teenagers, and the general enthusiasm for the competition from staff, parents, and pupils.
Our competition is free to enter and open to all schools in the Borough of Guildford. Our theme for 2024 is Wild about a Greener Guildford, with the aim of encouraging more wildlife to Guildford’s gardens such as plants that attract pollinators. We are looking for imaginatively themed gardens that reflect at least 5 things of the following 10 items that proactively promote the wellbeing of wildlife.
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A Nectar Café – plants for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
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Bug Hotel or log pile
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Bee B&B
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Water Source for birds and wildlife – making sure it includes stones so insects can climb out
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Growing your own food – lettuce, radish, carrots, etc
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Bird Feeder
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Bird House
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Hedgehog house
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Composting
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Wildflower area
We will also be looking for a plastic free environment unless the plastic item is being recycled i.e. milk bottles used as planters, plastic cloches, poly tunnels, etc. Additional points are given for Peat Free Gardens.
We hope our theme can inspire the colours in your school garden, and encourage children to have fun designing, planting, looking after gardens, whilst saying hello to all the wildlife.
School Judging Criteria
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Children’s involvement in the design, planting, and looking after the garden
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Well-planned layout relative to available space
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Inclusion of plants that attract nature and wildlife
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Environmentally friendly habitats, including upcycling/recycling materials
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Overall impression of the garden in relation to our theme – Wild about a Greener Guildford
School Competition Awards
Overall Winner - Trophy, plus £100 prize
Best Vegetable Growers - Trophy, plus £50 prize
Most Improved Garden - Trophy, plus £50 prize
Best 1st Time Entry - Trophy, plus £50 prize
School Competition Dates
5th February 2024 Competition Launch
24th May 2024 Entry Deadline
17th – 28th 2024 School Gardening Competition Judging
2nd July 2024 School in Bloom Awards, at Edwins Garden Centre
Further information
If you require help and advice on including gardening in the curriculum, or more information on what entering our competition entails, please contact our School Team directly on schools@guildfordinbloom.com
They will be more than happy to help and have experience of running information sessions that have helped staff involved in previous competitions.
To ENTER
If you have enough information already and wish to enter our 2024 Schools Competition, just contact our School Team directly on schools@guildfordinbloom.com
They will then be in touch to confirm your entry and arrange a convenient time to meet your main contact for the competition. Good Luck !
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Guildford Schools in Bloom is sponsored by Edwins Garden Centre
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