Sensory Garden
Our beautiful sensory garden was designed and created by our site manager Mr Hyder in 2023 - transforming an unused area of brambles and scrub into a calm, reflective and uplifting space for the whole school community.
Since its 'grand opening' to children and parents, which included tours hosted by our Year 6 children, the garden has continued to grow - with plants maturing and self seeding and new features being added. The final addition will be a water feature built from a series of salvaged Belfast sinks. This gentle waterfall will provide drinking and washing water for wildlife and attract creatures such as dragonflies and damselflies, whilst the burbling of the water will enhance the existing soundscape.
Summer in the garden - 2026
Our intentions for the garden:
- A quiet and reflective space to support well-being and enhance learning by stimulating the 5 senses.
- A welcoming environment for wildlife
Garden facts:
- 161 species of plants, trees, flowers and herbs with regular additions
- A gravel garden water feature, with a second water feature under construction
- Wind chimes and metal garden art
- Learning and seating areas
- Distinct zones including:
- herb and alpine garden
- Mediterranean gravel garden
- flower garden
- wild flower and shrub borders
With huge thanks to:
- We received funding from the Co-operative store via an application made by FOMS.
- Numerous volunteers, both during construction and now with ongoing planting and maintenance, including Mereworth School parents, adult learners from the Oaks Specialist College and one dedicated volunteer Kerry who worked tirelessly alongside Mr Hyder for many weeks.
Feedback from some of our visitors:
“I very much enjoyed being shown the garden, the pond and the forest areas by your Year 6 students who spoke with confidence and pride about the school’s beautiful and peaceful spaces… the students who spoke with us have obviously loved taking part in the creation and maintenance of these areas… spoke with much enthusiasm about the forthcoming water feature…the sensory garden is clearly giving your students opportunities for learning and experiencing the benefits of the natural environment and I am glad my grandson will get such opportunities.”
“I think what you have all achieved with the sensory garden and pond area is fantastic. I could see how much effort had gone into making all these areas relaxing, environmentally friendly, and educational. It was all superb and I hope that the children appreciate and enjoy this space as much as I did. Mr Hyder and the other volunteers have done such an exceptional job and they should all be very proud of themselves.”
“The year 6’s should be so proud of themselves for the tours and how they conducted themselves. The sensory garden is looking amazing and I can’t wait to see it again once it is more established, the children are so lucky!”