Transforming an unused and unloved part of their school grounds into a thriving wildlife haven has won a Blaenau Gwent school a prestigious Keep Wales Tidy award.
Pen-y-Cwm School in Ebbw Vale were honoured with the Community Transformation Award at the Keep Wales Tidy Awards 2025.
Pupils, staff and even parents have worked together on the project, using funding from Keep Wales Tidy, and support from Blaenau Gwent Council’s Biodiversity Team and the Blaenau Gwent Rangers who helped build an accessible ramp so the garden can be enjoyed by all. The garden now features a small pond, flower beds, mini beast and hedgehog homes and facilities to grow fruit and vegetables that are being used in cooking lessons at the school.
Judges were ‘truly impressed’ by the school’s efforts to transform a neglected site into a thriving wildlife haven and a welcoming space for learners, staff and the wider community. They praised the school’s creation of a ‘vibrant, fully accessible garden’, noting that having it designed and built by learners themselves made the project ‘even more remarkable’.
The judges also commended the school’s ‘creativity, teamwork and dedication’, saying it had ‘not only revitalised the space but created a lasting legacy’.
Two members of staff and two learners proudly represented the school at the awards ceremony in Llandudno, where they received a certificate and a prize of £100 in gardening vouchers.
Headteacher Deborah Herald says:
“I’m so incredibly proud of our learners and staff for their vision and hard work on this project. The award is a testament to what can be achieved when a community works together to create something meaningful and sustainable.”
Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families, Cllr Sue Edmunds, was delighted to see the garden for herself. She says:
“Wow! What an absolutely wonderful project, not only is it a wonderful outside space for learners and staff to enjoy, it contributes towards biodiversity and sustainability goals. We’re committed to working in partnership with our schools to ensure children and young people have the best start in life and are able to thrive and their emotional and physical wellbeing is key to this. To have all the hard work recognised nationally by Keep Wales Tidy is just the icing on the cake!”
Learner Ethan Daly said:
”My role in the project was to help with the deliveries, ground clearance, help lay the gravel/stone path, fill the pond and planters with water and soil, planting, and make endless journeys with the wheelbarrow. My favourite role was helping with the ground clearance because I enjoyed digging and levelling the ground making it safe as I was able to use the new garden tools that we received from Keep Wales Tidy. My proudest moment was winning the Community Transformation Award in Llandudno. I had never been to North Wales before and thought that we would never have a chance at winning, however I had my fingers crossed. It made me feel really happy and proud of what we have created.”
Project Manager and Teaching Assistant James O’Connell said:
“I’m immensely proud of all of our learners and volunteers in what we have been able to accomplish in creating the Wildlife Garden. There were many obstacles and challenges during this project, however it is testament to us as a school community that continued perseverance, hard work and dedication can eventually bring success, which has been recognised at the recent Keep Wales Tidy Awards.”
