A primary school in Acton has been recognised with two environmental awards for its hands-on approach to sustainability, including a student-run garden containing fruit, vegetables and bug hotels.
Derwentwater Primary School was named winner of the Cultivating Ealing Best Community Supported School Garden 2025, with judges praising its “excellent variety of healthy vegetables and fruits” and describing it as a “lovely school with enthusiastic teaching staff, headteacher and children.”
At the heart of the award is the school’s global garden – a space used not just for growing produce but also for outdoor learning. Judges highlighted features including a greenhouse, wormery, bug hotel, lavender-scented herb garden, ponds, handmade bird feeders, and a bamboo run-around area. The garden also hosts forest school activities, where pupils learn to build and use tools safely. The produce is sold to help fund the initiative.
As part of their visit, Cultivating Ealing offered suggestions for water conservation and birdwatching. Pupils and staff will formally receive the award in September.
Headteacher Venessa Nicholas, said: “Derwentwater Primary School officially has the best school garden across the whole of Ealing. A special thank you to our staff and volunteers, Ryan, Eleanor, Iain, and Hannah, for their hard work, expertise, and dedication. Thanks to their efforts, the garden has become a wonderful place for our children to explore and enjoy.”
The school also picked up an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award – with Distinction, recognising its broader environmental education. Pupils carried out a 26kg community litter-pick, tracked energy use via bar charts, promoted sustainable travel, and led a whole-school upcycling project. Year 6 pupils also explored plastic pollution through poetry and persuasive writing.
The school’s pupil-led Kids for the Climate group now plans to focus on reducing single-use plastic, working with staff to set a new policy for the year ahead.
