A Cardiff school is celebrating a remarkable first year of a unique gardening and sustainability programme, which has seen more than 140 pupils benefit from hands-on learning opportunities.
Mary Immaculate High School’s innovative gardening project has transformed outdoor learning opportunities for pupils, providing a unique environment where practical skills, environmental awareness and personal development are flourishing side by side.
It has also seen homegrown produce used in the school canteen and the successful introduction of a thriving colony of honeybees.
Since the installation of the school’s polytunnel in June 2025, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils have taken part in weekly enrichment lessons, learning everything from construction and horticulture to sustainability and food production.
The classes have already achieved a long-term goal of supporting the local community with food parcels for the food bank at St Vincent’s Centre in Ely Bridge.
Recently, headteacher Huw Powell and gardening lead Matthew Birch handed over a box of vegetables grown by pupils including courgettes, broad beans, beetroot and potatoes, to centre manager Ellery Hennessy, who is also Chair of Governors at Mary Immaculate.
This will be the start of a partnership between Mary Immaculate and St Vincent’s Centre, with regular deliveries to the food bank of food grown by pupils over the growing season.
A highlight of the year was the arrival of around 4,000 Italian honeybees in May. Following the loss of the school’s original colony, the new bees have settled in successfully, with the thriving queen producing enough offspring to require six additional hive frames within just five weeks. Honey harvested from the previous colony was used in the school canteen and received glowing feedback from staff and pupils alike.
The garden has also become a productive source of fresh food for the school community. This year, pupils have supplied the canteen with more than 30 lettuces, 3kg of broad beans and 1kg of carrots, with courgettes, cucumbers and potatoes also expected to feature on the menu before the summer holidays.
Beyond food production, the project has helped students develop confidence, practical skills and career aspirations. Pupils have built raised beds, moved tonnes of soil, learned to use tools safely and applied sustainable growing techniques. One Year 10 pupil has even been inspired to launch a summer planter-building business after gaining construction experience through the project.
Sustainability is at the heart of the initiative. The school uses a no-dig gardening method to preserve soil health, powers the polytunnel using on-site solar energy, collects rainwater and creates nutrient-rich compost from food and garden waste.
Gardening lead Mr Birch said: “This year has been a huge success and pupils have learnt many new skills and techniques in this ever-changing environment. One of the most valuable lessons this year is that this is a classroom where everyone thrives and, between us, we can achieve the best for all. What began as a gardening project has grown into a powerful educational experience that is enriching learning, supporting wellbeing and inspiring the next generation of environmentally conscious young people.”
As the summer approaches, the school is looking forward to harvesting melons from the polytunnel and pumpkins in time for Halloween.
