The garden at St Mary’s school is created with social spaces and quiet places, places to play or learn and places to just be; some in sunshine, some in shade. Whether with friends, a class, parents or staff, the garden is a place to enjoy and benefit from being outside.
The garden is split into two areas; The Green and The Hub.
The Green is like a village green; it is a gathering place for the school. A central cotswold stone sunken garden, references the school’s history on the site of an old Lime Quarry, and gives lots of space to sit. A low dias with local stone wall provides a place to display artworks, or say a few words.
Talented parents made art works for the garden. Anna Bromiley’s bronze sculptures of Faith, Hope and Love used pupils as models, whilst Lisi Ashbridge carved the beautiful slate plaque for the feature wall.
Over 20 trees give height, blossom and bark interest to the previously flat space.
Through a wall of trained pear trees, is the Hive: a garden of gardens. A garden oak of benches is a great place for hanging out in groups, whilst two beech hedged gardens create private work spaces for a tutorial perhaps or just a quiet moment. Adding sound and movement are two water gardens, with seating right around the edges.
And, just for fun, two sets of double swings are set among swooshing grasses.
An ambitious oak framed pavilion, with innovative dual tiered roof, takes its influence from a Japanese tea house. Designed with a student, the pavilion creates an exciting space for an outdoor classroom, event hub and chill out zone; perfect to extend the use of the garden in the English weather.
