School Garden Challenge

School Garden Challenge 10-13 th May 2018 Application and Information Pack Application for Space Deadline To be received no later than Friday 27 October 2017 Forms should be submitted via email: Mark.Harwood-Browne@threecounties.co.uk 1

Contents Aims + Theme + Links to curriculum 3 Expectations -What you can expect from us 4 -What we expect from you 5 Design of the garden 6 Judging and Awards -RHS 7 -CPRE 7 -BAM Construction 8 Build-up and break-down 9 During the show + PR, marketing and logos + Post-show evaluation 10 Schedules of works and deadlines 11 Forms -Application for space (27 th October 2017) 12 -Garden Brief (1 st December 2017) 13-18 -Sponsors details (5 th February 2018) 19 RHS Judging Criteria CPRE Judging Criteria Appendix A Appendix B 2

Aim of the School Garden Challenge To promote gardening and horticulture to a range of children and young adults, by supporting the embedding of the School Gardens Challenge into their curriculum. Theme Great Britain The garden should tell the story of an individual, group, event or invention, either recent or historic, that has contributed to making modern Britain what it is today. Links to curriculum Suggested links to the school curriculum would include; British Values what it means to be British in modern day society. Equality and Diversity the multi-ethnic roots of the population of modern day Britain. History The British Empire; Isambard Kingdom Brunel; The World Wide Web (Sir Tim Berners-Lee). STEM aspects of design (proportion, scale); calculations of volume/area etc; engineering of design features. Art the aesthetics of the design. Science how plants grow; soil; ecosystems; photosynthesis and food webs. 3

Expectations -What you can expect from us- 1. A 250 grant will be paid to each participating school to contribute towards the costs of the garden. 100 will be paid before the Festival, and the remaining 150 after the Festival, provided that feedback has been received and any SOR ticket invoices settled (see below). Full repayment of the grant is required if a school withdraws from the competition. 2. Workshops 1 st and 2 nd November Design, construction and planting workshops will be available for schools to attend. These are FREE and it is recommended that each school should attend on one of the days. Hosted by BAM, the RHS, The Three Counties Agricultural Society and Chris Collins. 3. An Information board will be provided for each garden featuring the name of the school, name of the garden and a brief description of the garden sponsors. 4. A School Garden Programme will be produced for sale during the show. Pupils will be able to sell the programmes, with all money being donated to BAM s 2018 charity. 5. Access to the Show 10-13 May 2018 a. Wristbands these are DAY specific and will be provided free for any adult who is supporting the school s garden for a least two hours during that day. b. 8 complimentary tickets per school are provided for sponsors and allow access on any one day of the show. c. Under 16s do NOT require a wristband or tickets. d. Car parking is FREE e. Each school will receive 20 tickets per day to sell on Sale or Return Basis at 10 each. A proforma invoice will be issued to each school, and unsold tickets must be returned to the office after the show when a new invoice will be issued for the sold tickets. NB We are currently investing in a new online ticket selling partnership. Each school will always get a specific number of discounted tickets, but they may be purchased online via a discount code. Should this become the case then schools will be updated. 4

-What we expect from you- 1. It is important that ALL DEADLINES ARE ADHERED TO. Please see the separate page for details about individual deadline dates. 2. The garden should be designed by the pupils. Whilst it is sometimes helpful to ask for professional advice, the design, creation, planting and growing of plants should be done predominantly by the pupils. It is understood that certain parts of the garden may need to be constructed with adult assistance and this is acceptable but the garden must reflect the pupils input. 3. School Show Gardens must be manned from at 10.00-16.00 each day (show open 9.00 until 18.00). A rota should be prepared, we advise approximately 3 pupils + 2 adults per session, with each session around 2 hours. We do not expect the Gardens to be manned at all times on Thursday 10 th May, so that all schools can attend the award ceremony (time TBC). 4. Publicity must be done in accordance with the RHS Malvern Spring Festival s Marketing Executive, Stephanie Belcher stephanie.belcher@threecounties.co.uk 5. LOGOS: Please ensure you use the correct logos. These are available from Stephanie Belcher. The festival should always be referred to as The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. 6. Risk Assessments Prior to the build-up period, guidance will be issued to schools as to the dos and don ts when on the Showground. These will be the outcomes and control measures from our risk assessment process and MUST be followed. Schools are then responsible for producing their own risk assessments, to take into account hazards that are specific to their build and pupils needs. 7. Safeguarding Each school must update the Three Counties Agricultural Society s Designated Safeguarding Officer of any information that needs to be taken into account to ensure that the safeguarding needs of the school s pupils are met when at the Showground. Otherwise, each school is responsible for maintaining the required safeguarding procedures as outlined in their schools policies. School Albums In past years it has been a requirement for schools to create some form of album, recording the development of the garden as the academic year goes on. It is no longer a requirement to produce such a document, HOWEVER, during the RHS judging it is often a very handy tool to have some form of document about the garden that the pupils can use as an aide-memoire to structure what they tell the judges. 5

Design of Garden 1. The garden can be any shape the designers choose 2. The overall size of the garden will be a maximum of 16sqm, (e.g. 4m x 4m). There is no restriction on the shape of the garden. The garden can be smaller if desired, to a minimum of 9sqm (e.g. 3m x 3m) 3. The garden should not be accessible to the public 4. The garden MUST NOT require excavations. All work is to be above ground, without removing the grass. It is suggested that the garden is contained within a border, like that of a raised bed, which can be filled with compost to hide all and construction details. Compost is provided for the gardens for free by The Showground. 5. Membrane should be placed between the ground and the compost to aid with removal after the show and to protect the ground. 6. Gardens must be viewed from a minimum of two sides. 7. You are strongly encouraged to consider how height and depth can be used in your design, and how any structures will be secured. 8. All gardens must be fenced or roped off appropriately to let visitors to the show know that it is not to be walked on. 9. The pupils input into the garden design is paramount. 10. A single socket (3 pin, 13amp) can be installed to the garden if power is required. Water will be available in the vicinity, but not piped directly to each garden. 6

Judging & Awards There are three different sets of awards that can be achieved as part of the School Garden Challenge. They all take different approaches in what they look for and some schools may feel that they only want to focus on one set of awards, as those judging criteria best reflect what the school is trying to achieve. The outcomes of the judging will be announced on Thursday 10 th May, during the Awards Ceremony. Royal Horticultural Society The School Show Gardens will be judged on Wednesday 9th May 2018, from 9am onwards. The RHS judges will wish to talk to at least 3 students per build who can give a brief resume of their garden. Judging categories are: Credit Commended Highly Commended The Judging Criteria used by the RHS can be found in APPENDIX A. Feedback from the judging will be available on the morning of Thursday 10th May 2018 Campaign to Protect Rural England The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) award a first, second and third place for the school gardens, based on their own set of judging criteria. These criteria are based on the CPRE s organisational aims, and those of the trust fund that provides the prize money (SEE APPENDIX B). The CPRE awards are judged by their own representative, who will also talk to your pupils, on the same day as the RHS Judging takes place. 1 st Prize 150 2 nd Prize - 100 3 rd Prize - 75 The prize money for the awards presented by the CPRE is donated by the Cecily Norris Trust, who was an avid supporter of developing plant knowledge in young people. 7

BAM Construction Awards of Construction Excellence In addition to the physical support during the design and build-up of the gardens, BAM Construction also award certificates based on specific elements of the construction process. Each category has a winner and a runner-up. Sustainability Award Most innovative use of recycled materials. Best Project Management Continued use of appropriate personal protective equipment, maintaining good site safety during construction process and minimal need for support from BAM during the build. Best Build The school who have clearly followed the brief of since the start of the process. Building elements in school and embedding of construction into school curriculum or extra-curricular activities. Community involvement (parents and others helping). Producing a stress free project that makes them want to come back again as they ENJOY the project. 8

Build Up & Breakdown 1. The build on site at The Three Counties Showground will start on Monday 23 rd April 2018. It is anticipated each school will be required to spend a minimum of 5 days (20 hours) on site during build up. Children from the school must be present at all points during the build. No building work should be done during the weekends. 2. Pupils are expected to be hands on during the build as well as being substantially involved in the planting of the garden, with great attention to detail and finish. 3. It is expected that pupils will behave in a professional manner whilst on the Showground as they will be representing their schools. If there is bad behaviour reported the school will be expelled from the project forthwith and any costs incurred must be reimbursed by the school 4. Pupils and staff should bring a packed lunch and appropriate clothing such as safety boots/study footwear and all weather items such as waterproofs. High visibility jackets are required and it is essential that they are worn at all times. This applies to pupils, students and teachers. This rule is operated throughout the Showground build to comply with health and safety legislation. Anyone not complying will not be permitted onto the Showground or to take part in the project. 5. Compost is provided through our sponsor Severn Waste Management. However, the Schools will be required to move this to their site. 6. It should be assumed that no over-night storage will be available during the build-up. Should there be any (which cannot be confirmed until closer to the time) then it will not be secure. 7. For ease of construction it is preferable that gravel, shingle or granite chips are not used, or similar materials which may damage mowing machines or harm wildlife. 8. No activity is allowed on the school gardens from 9am on the day of judging, including watering. 9. Schools are required to remove their gardens after the Festival. Gardens should be completely removed from the Showground site NO LATER than Wednesday 16 th May 2018 by 5pm. 10. Artificial flowers, gnomes, fluorescent colours, or anything which may cause offense are not permitted. 9

During the show 1. The garden is to be staffed between 10am-4pm, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Flexibility is allowed on the Thursday to enable everyone to attend the Awards Ceremony. It is recommended that 3 children and 2 adults are on at the garden, with the children being there for no more than 2 hours at a time. 2. NO bags to be stored around the garden, NO additional tables to be erected and NO sales of any materials are permitted. PR, Marketing and Logo use Any leaflets or promotional material should be approved by the Festival organisers before publication. All leaflets etc. should state clearly that this is the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. The appropriate logos should be used. The RHS Malvern Spring Festival logo can be obtained from Stephanie Belcher at Stephanie.belcher@threecounties.co.uk. All copy should be confirmed by the Festival organisers before printing to check for accuracy. The Society should always be referred to as The Three Counties Agricultural Society. The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is run jointly with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Post-Show Evaluation All schools will be asked to provide post-festival evaluation to Three Counties Agricultural Society. The method of collection (online survey etc.) will be confirmed closer to the time. Outstanding grant money will not be paid to the school until the evaluations have been submitted and the invoices for sale or return tickets have been settled. All information is correct at the time of writing, but is subject to change without notice. The School Garden Challenge is open to all children of compulsory schooling age, not matter what their background or individual ability to participate. Where barriers to participation exist, please discuss with the School Garden Challenge Co-ordinator about how appropriate and reasonable measures can be put in place to remove these barriers. 10

Schedule of Works and Deadlines for the Project The following Information is extremely important Friday 27 th October 2017 1 st & 2 nd November 2017 Closing date for applications. Design, construction and planting workshops at the Showground. Use the workshops to fine tune your designs and briefs before final submission. Friday 1 st December 2017 Final design and completed brief must have been submitted to Three Counties Agricultural Society, The Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. This information is passed to the RHS and therefore it is extremely important that it is completed in full. December 2017 onwards Informal feedback provided to participants about any specific aspects of their design which they will need to consider between now and the show. Plants will need to be start to be grown now, especially if a greenhouse is available. Monday 5 th February 2018 Confirmation of all sponsor details and garden descriptions, to be used in publicity material. Monday 23 rd April 2018 Build-up period commences on site at The Showground, Malvern. Wednesday 9 th May 2018 by 9am Gardens must be completed ready for judging by RHS. 10-13 May 2018 Schools attend the RHS Malvern Spring Festival from 10.00am to 4.00pm each day. Wednesday 16 th May 2018 by 5pm Breakdown of the garden fully completed, and all items removed. 1 st June 2018 An evaluation should be submitted by the lead teacher about the project no later than 1st June 2018. All Sale or Return ticket sale invoices should be paid. Any outstanding grant money will then be released. 11

Application for Space PLEASE COMPLETE IN FULL. To be submitted by 27 th October 2017 Name of School Teacher s Name Year Group Address of School Post Code E Mail Mobile Telephone Garden Information Name of Garden Brief explanation of how the garden meets the theme Each school will receive a total grant of 250. Please advise who the cheque should be made payable to. 12

Garden Brief This brief should be completed in word or using black ink and returned to: School Show Gardens, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW This form MUST be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 Together with the garden designs; one Artist s Impression, potentially by a pupil, and a plan of the garden i.e. a diagrammatic top view of the garden, fully labelled but not to scale. Form completed by Date School Name Year Group Title of Garden It is essential to complete this brief as this will assist the Society to assess the suitability of the garden for construction and ease of planting. The brief will be used to assist the deliberations of the panel of RHS judges. The Brief should, in the artificial circumstances of a gardening festival, describe: The intentions of the School Garden Designers and the Sponsor The purpose and function of the garden The assumptions made about the site and its situation The reasons for the inclusion of the garden s important elements The Brief SHOULD NOT: Include a detailed description of the garden judges will be looking at the garden for themselves! Describe construction details and finishes judges only wish to understand the thinking behind your garden e.g. why the structures are included A challenging and interesting brief can impress the judges, but if you fail to fulfil your brief, this advantage will be lost. 13

Garden Brief (continued) Must be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 Describe the purpose or theme of the garden, including its intended use, please include reference to practicability and environmental responsibility. (Guide: 80 Words) 14

Garden Brief (continued) Must be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 Indicate whether the garden has structures and what purpose they serve. Mention the boundaries of the garden and how they relate (Guide: 100 words) 15

Garden Brief (continued) Must be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 The aspect and the prevailing conditions of the garden will be important in respect of the type of plants you are going to use please describe them. (Guide: 100 words) 16

Garden Brief (continued) Must be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 Explain your choice of hard materials and the relevance of any special features e.g. sculpture, water features, rockery etc (Guide: 100 words) 17

Garden Brief (continued) Must be submitted by Friday 1 st December 2017 Explain your choice of plants and how they relate to the theme of the garden. Mention any key structural plants. (Guide: 100 words) 18

Sponsor s Details A maximum of three can be credited in publicity material To Be Submitted by 5 th February 2018 Sponsor s Name Contact Name Sponsor s Address Post Code Email Sponsor s Name Contact Name Sponsor s Address Post Code Email Sponsor s Name Contact Name Sponsor s Address Post Code Email Each school will be provided with 8 complimentary tickets to divide up between their sponsors, as they see fit. Tickets will be usable on any one day of the show and have a face value of approx. 48. 19

Appendix A RHS School Show Garden Exhibits (RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2018 onwards) a. Plants Quality and home grown Colour and choice Free from pests and diseases Association and relevance to garden Excellent (4) Plants are in first class condition, and have either been grown, or grown-on, by the school. There is no sign of any pests or diseases and, where appropriate, the plants are in flower. The choice of plants is extremely relevant to the garden and represent a broad range of seasonal interest, both during and outside of the show dates. Very Good (3) Plants are in very good condition, and the majority have been grown, or grown-on, by the school. There is minimal sign of pests or diseases and, where appropriate, the majority of plants are in flower. The choice of plants is, in the majority, relevant to the garden and represent a good range of seasonal interest, both during and outside of the show dates. Good (2) Plants are in good condition, and have generally either been grown, or grown-on, by the school. There are very few sign of any pests or diseases and some of the plants are in flower. The choice of plants are generally relevant to the garden and represent a range of seasonal interest, for the show period Satisfactory (1) Plants are in acceptable condition, and some have either been grown, or grownon, by the school. Signs of pests or diseases are visible and plants may not be in flower. Some of the plants link to the garden and are of some seasonal interest for the show period. b. Overall Impression Impact (inc. wow factor and theatre) Design Colour and texture Relevance to theme Balance and scale. The garden is creative and has a wow factor that incorporates well executed design and balance, with a focus on detail. The garden provides a clear and substantial link to the theme and creates a very high level of interest for the visitors. The garden is something different and will catch visitors eyes. The design works well and is detailed. The garden provides a clear and obvious link to the theme and creates good levels of interest for the visitors. The garden avoids clichés and visitors will stop and look at it. The design answers the brief fully and has some interesting details. The garden provides a link to the theme that is interpretable after a little explanation and creates a small level of impact on the visitors. The garden meets the brief but is rather predictable. The design and materials are basic and contain limited amounts of detail. The theme requires explanation to be understood and visitors may not stop and stand to look at this garden. c. Children s Input Children s creativity Children s innovation It is clear that the children have taken a significant role in all aspects of the garden, and have It is clear that the children have taken a predominantly significant role in all aspects of 20 It is clear that the children have taken a role in the majority of the aspects of the garden, and It is obvious that adults have taken the lead in most aspects of the garden. Adults have

Children s design Children s planting skills and artwork All above points being age appropriate. led the creativeness of the project. Adults have taken a guiding role and have not imposed their own will on the garden. The garden (design through to final product) is appropriate for the ages and range of abilities of the children. the garden, and have led much of the creativeness of the project. Adults have taken a guiding role and have only imposed their own will on the garden in one or two instances. The garden (design through to final product) is generally appropriate for the ages and range of abilities of the children. have greatly contributed to the creativeness of the project. Adults have taken a leading role but have not imposed their own will on that many aspects the garden. The garden (design through to final product) is general appropriate for the ages or range of abilities of the children. taken a significant role and have generally imposed their own will on the garden. The garden (design through to final product) does not generally seem appropriate for the ages and range of abilities of the children. d. Finish Recycling and upcycling Hard landscaping and choice of materials Appearance of permanence Level, and attention to, detail Use of space. Great care and consideration is evident in the sourcing of materials used and what they will be used for after the show. Although only a temporary feature the garden looks permanent and makes best use of the space that has been allocated to it. The final details in the garden has been excellently considered and executed. Care and consideration is evident in the sourcing of the majority of materials used, and what they will be used for after the show. Although only a temporary feature the garden looks almost permanent and makes very good use of the space that has been allocated to it. The final details in the garden have been considered and executed. An acceptable quantity of the materials has been sourced from carefully considered sources, with some thought about their use after the show. Although only a temporary feature the garden has a degree of permanence about it, and makes reasonable use of the space that has been allocated to it. The final detail in the garden is acceptable. Materials have been sourced for their convenience and it is unclear as to how they be used after the show. The garden is a temporary feature, and this comes across in the construction. The space could be used much more successfully. The garden lacks any noticeable level of detail in the finished product. 21

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School RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2018: School Garden Challenge Points Judging Form Site Number Garden Title a. Plants Quality and home grown Colour and choice Free from pests and diseases Association and relevance to garden Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) b. Overall Impression Impact (inc. wow factor and theatre) Design Colour and texture Relevance to theme Balance and scale. c. Children s Input Children s creativity Children s innovation Children s design Children s planting skills and artwork All above points being age appropriate. d. Finish Recycling and upcycling Hard landscaping and choice of materials Appearance of permanence Level, and attention to, detail Use of space. TOTAL Score COMMENTS Award Highly Commended Commended Merit Credit Points 14-16 10-13 6-9 4-5 23

Appendix B RHS Malvern Spring Festival School Garden Judging Criteria SCHOOL. GARDEN NAME.. GARDEN THEME.. Increasingly good 1 2 3 4 5 Layout as a garden Well grown Well planted Well-chosen plants Children's input Plant knowledge TOTAL COMMENTS 24

Criteria Guidance Layout as a garden Is the garden practical as a garden? Could it be recreated at a visitor s home? Well grown Considering the age, abilities of the children, and the facilities available to the school, are the plants; o Healthy, showing no sign of pests or diseases? o Growing strong and upright? o Obviously not recently bought from a nursery or garden centre? (The growing-on of plants is acceptable). Well planted Are the plants planted at the right depth? If still in their pots (which is acceptable) are the pots fully hidden? Are the plants spaced out so that they do not look squashed and are not showing an inappropriate amount of soil between them? Well chosen Do the plants reflect the theme of the garden? Do the plants look good together? Are all the plants of the same type similar in appearance and stage of growth? Children s input How obvious is it that the children have played an overwhelmingly significant role in the growing, planting and maintaining of the plants, before and during the show? Plant knowledge Do the children know what the plants are called, what conditions they like, and if there is anything special about them e.g. good for wildlife or any economic value? 25