National Gardening Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of gardening, with events held up and down the country. This year’s event took place between Monday 29th April through to Sunday 5th May.
Hammersmith Academy was asked to take part in an ITV News feature about the benefits of gardening in schools. Reporter, Lauren Hall, visited the Academy having heard about the multiple awards the garden had won.
She spent the afternoon following the gardening team as they carried out their duties, which included planting seeds, dividing and potting up vegetables, weeding and watering.
The feature extolled the virtues of a school garden and how students benefit greatly from having access to a functioning green space.
Primary schools commonly teach students gardening, but is a rarity in secondary schools.
Dr Kirwan said, “I think there is a clear impact on morale in the school, among staff and among students. If a secondary school isn’t operating some king of gardening activity, it is a missed opportunity.”

Watch the episode here.