Winning Schools Announced in Guildford Schools in Bloom 2025

Guildford in Bloom held its Schools in Bloom Awards at Edwins Garden Centre in Clandon where 14 schools were rewarded for their horticultural efforts designing and creating their school gardens.

The overall winning school is Puttenham C of E Infant School, a one form entry infant school for children aged between 4 and 7 (pictured above).

This year also saw special awards going to Christopher Robin Day Nursery for Most Improved Garden; Jigsaw CABAS School for Best Vegetable Grower; Northmead Junior School for Best Wildlife Garden; and St Nicolas’ C of E Infant School for Best First Time Entry. A full list of winners is available on the Guildford in Bloom website; guildfordinbloom.com/2025schoolscomp

The Guildford in Bloom Schools team visited all the schools, which ranged from nursery, infant, junior, and special schools. The aim of Schools in Bloom is to get young children involved in gardening for both education and wellbeing.  This year we have teamed up with Butterfly Conservation to promote the preservation of Butterflies and Moths.  The children were tasked with adding elements to their school garden that created an attractive refuge for butterflies and moths to thrive, as well as attracting more wildlife generally using greener and eco-friendly resources.

Judges Shirley West and Caroline Coleman said:

“We are delighted to say that the overall standard achieved by all 14 schools entering our competition this year has been fantastic.  They fully embraced our theme “Saving Butterflies & Moths”, and the children loved the challenge. They are all winners.   Our thanks to our partners at Surrey Wildlife Trust who were on hand to provide advice and support again.”

Puttenham C of E Infant School was a very worthy winner this year, incorporating our theme in their curriculum as well as creating a glorious garden.  They held a Butterfly Art Exhibition at the school, which required extensive work in the classroom and the Art club.  The children also named all their plants and were very proud of their efforts in the garden.

The prize this year was a trophy to be displayed at school, a framed certificate, a garden book, and gift voucher to spend at a Garden Centre.

Rachel Drury, Class Teacher at Puttenham C of E Infant School said:

“Participating in the competition has been a great pleasure for the children, and we are delighted with our achievement of being selected the Overall Winner this year.  We have all really enjoyed learning about the value of protecting butterflies, moths, and the environment thanks to this year’s chosen theme.”

Paul Spooner, Chairman of Guildford in Bloom said: “It is great to see another successful year for Schools in Bloom. Congratulations to all award winners, and a very big thank you to our sponsors, Lee and all of the staff at Edwins Garden for hosting, our Schools Team, and most importantly our local schools for their continued support for our competition”

The Schools in Bloom Award is an integral part of Guildford in Bloom and ensures that the love of gardening and caring for wildlife is firmly planted in the future generation.

Guildford in Bloom is funded through the generous sponsorship of St Edward Homes, Unigold 2000 Ltd, Chapters Financial, Tunsgate Quarter, University of Surrey, Guildford Financial, and Cressive DX.