Thanks to the passion and creativity of students and staff at Noel-Baker Academy, part of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, the garden is now a sanctuary where students feel safe and inspired.
What began as a passing question from a student – “What is this space for?” – sparked a journey of transformation. What was then an overgrown and unused area is now a thriving garden, brimming with colour.
The initiative was led by Natalie Hinchcliffe, Inclusion Intervention Lead at Noel-Baker Academy, who was recently awarded a Pearson National Teaching Award Certificate of Excellence in the Teaching Assistant of the Year category.
With Natalie coordinating, students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have taken the lead in designing, creating and caring for the garden, repurposing donated materials and breathing new life into what had been a forgotten space.
With no initial funding, the team relied on creativity and community generosity. Donations from family gardens – including plants, compost, pots and tools – formed the foundation.
Two ponds made from large containers and a homemade bug hotel now attract wildlife, while gravel provided by science teacher Mr McDonagh last summer gave the space a polished finish. The inventive team even constructed a whimsical garden ‘chandelier’ using a bike wheel and discarded light fixture.
“We started with nothing – just imagination and determination. Over the months, we’ve gathered donations from generous families, salvaged useful items from skips and upcycled all sorts of items to add to the space.
“What we’ve created is so much more than a garden; it’s a community project that gives students a sense of ownership, pride and peace. One student told me, ‘When school feels hectic, this is my happy place,’ and I see how they physically relax the moment they step in here. That says everything.”
A turning point came when a Year 7 student, who adores the garden, shared its story with his mum. Moved by the impact the space had on her son and others, Mrs. Dean generously organised a local football blackout fundraiser – raising an incredible £450.
“This act of kindness blew us away. We’ve already bought some much-needed tools and we’re now saving for solar-powered pond pumps and better seating, to make the garden even more inviting.”
“This garden is a testament to what happens when you empower young people and support their ideas. With the help of Natalie and our school colleagues, the students have created something truly magical – an inclusive space that nurtures wellbeing, fosters creativity and brings joy to everyone who visits. It captures the heart of what we stand for as a school.”
