RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year 2023

Applications are now closed for the 2023 competition. Judging is now underway.

We are excited to announce that our annual search for the most passionate and dedicated gardeners from schools across the UK is back. The RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition is now open for entries for 2023. 

This year there will be two categories. Find out more about the RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year 2023 category below.

Criteria:

Nominations are now open for the RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year 2023 category. This year we are looking for someone that demonstrates the following qualities and approaches. This person:

• is an adult (age 18 or over)
• champions gardening and growing in a school in the UK – this school needs to be a member of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. (If your school is not currently registered, you can register online for free. If you're not sure if your school is registered you can check by typing your school's postcode, name or address into the text box at the top of this page.)
• could be a teacher, teaching assistant, eco lead, gardening club leader, volunteer or parent helper
• inspires children and young people through working in the school garden or growing space. (For example, improving pupil wellbeing and encouraging a passion for growing.)
• uses the school gardening space effectively and makes it accessible and inclusive to all
• demonstrates an understanding of environmental and sustainability issues and encourages those they work with to actively understand these issues. (For example, planting for pollinators, food growing, water collection methods, composting and how this person links these practices to the curriculum.)
• demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the longevity of school gardening activities
• builds connections between school gardening and the local community

How to make a nomination:

• read the criteria outlined above
• take a look at the competition’s Terms & Conditions
• if you need any help with your nomination take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions or email schoolgardening@rhs.org.uk
• see what our 2023 judging panel have to say
• read about our 2019 School Gardening Champion of the Year
• complete and submit an online nomination form by 5pm on 27 March 2023

Make a nomination

What happens next?

After the closing date we will review the nominations and select our five finalists for this category. We will contact their nominators in April and ask them to submit a short video demonstrating why the nominated person should be the RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year 2023. These videos will then be watched by our panel of judges, including horticulturalist Frances Tophill, in May to decide who should be crowned RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year 2023. We will announce our winner in early June.

Prizes:

We have some fantastic prizes on offer this year. Even more reason to make a nomination.

Each finalist’s school will receive £200 worth of National Garden Gift Vouchers. The winner (selected from the five finalists) will be awarded the following for their school:

• a patio glasshouse worth £1,500
• £500 worth of gardening vouchers
• a visit from a VIP to their school