Horticulture students from Pershore High School contributed to the ‘Helping Children Grow’ exhibit at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a display of mint and of scented-leaved pelargoniums in tea pots and china tea services.

Students were given the opportunity of taking gardening lessons and qualifications as part of their curiculum. The horticulture unit grows produce for the school kitchen, as well as for sale to staff and pupils, helps maintains the school grounds and undertakes other projects.

 “There is no direct funding for this”, said head teacher Phil Hanson, “so the unit has to be self sufficient. The work our lead  horticulture teacher Anne Watson does towards this and the education of our young people is tremendous and without her  as the driving force it would not be the success it is.”

The students have also been mentored by Neil Gow, proprietor of Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre near Bromsgrove, who is an internal verifier for the school’s examinations. “Without his input and the contacts he has, we would not be able to do a fraction of what we achieve,” said Mr Hanson.

Kent & Stowe have helped us out with tools, Stewart Plastics supplied pots trays and planters, Hozelock donated new watering equipment, Johnsons Seeds contributed packets of seed and both Vitax and Westland assisted with compost and fertilisers.

Picture shows left to right: Student Alexander, Lead Horticulture Teacher Anne Watson and

Student Kristian who has already been selected as one of the 16 finalists in the RHS Young Gardener

packing up some of their planters ready for despatch to London

Also involved with the Chelsea exhibit was Peter Seabrook, The Sun newspaper’s gardening columnist. “The staff and scholars should be proud of what they achieve and so should the team from  Fresh at Burcot for putting something back into the community. Thank you for this tremendous support with this display,” he said.