RHS School Gardening Awards
Level 2

Level 2 focuses on supporting pupil wellbeing and developing new gardening skills. It also provides an opportunity to show how pupil voice is a fundamental part of growing and caring for plants in your school

How do we achieve Level 2?

To achieve Level 2, you need to demonstrate the following:

  • We all contribute to our gardening plans
  • We are learning new gardening skills
  • We use gardening to support our wellbeing

How do I apply?

Complete our online form to submit your evidence to reach the RHS Level 2 Award

children gardening

When you’re ready to apply for Level 2, please submit up to 100 words for each of the above criteria. For school submissions, please show how at least 10 pupils have been involved when you submit your evidence. You are welcome to include quotes from children and young people as part of your submission.

Submit evidence

School rewards

Once you have achieved Level 2 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement

To help you move up to Level 3, you will also receive:

  • £50 National Garden Gift Voucher
  • A copy of How to Garden the Low Carbon Way, an RHS book
  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.​

Group and individual rewards

Once you have achieved Level 2 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement


To help you move up to Level 3, you will also receive:

  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.

Information and resources to support your submission:

We all contribute to our gardening plans

How are you gathering ideas from children, young people and staff? How are these feeding into your developing plans? This might include:

  • Talking about gardening plans in an assembly and holding a hands-up vote
  • Running a pupil survey with one or more classes
  • Talking to the school council or Eco group
  • Discussing choices with children, young people and staff while they are gardening

  • Having a ‘suggestions box’ at school for pupils and staff to post their ideas
  • Having a chalkboard in your growing area for pupils to add their ideas

We are learning new gardening skills

Please provide details about the new gardening skills children and young people are learning. This might include:

  • Staking plants to protect them against wind and heavy rain
  • Taking plant cuttings or harvesting seeds for future planting

We are using gardening to support our wellbeing

This might include:

  • Using gardening inside or outside for staff and pupil relaxation and restoration
  • Using gardening to connect with each other

Ready for the next level?

Find out how you can achieve our Level 3 award.

Apply now 

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.