Cambridge Park Academy Post-16 Provision, proud to be part of Humber Education Trust, is delighted to share the fantastic news that their students have been recognised in the East Midlands in Bloom Awards for their dedication to gardening and eco-horticulture, winning the Gold Award - Senior Schools Overall Winner.

East Midlands in Bloom is an annual competition organised by the EMIB Regional Committee and is one of the 18 regions/nations which comprise ‘Britain in Bloom‘, the campaign organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. The awards celebrate the achievements of schools, community groups and organisations in creating greener, more sustainable and more welcoming spaces.

Cambridge Park Academy chose to take part in the competition to give students a real-world project where they could learn new skills, work as a team and take pride in making a positive contribution to their community. The pupils at Cambridge Park Academy’s Post-16 Provision have been actively involved in the project, from planting and nurturing flowers and vegetables, to maintaining the school gardens and showcasing their efforts to the judges. The impact on students has been tremendous; they have developed independence, teamwork and resilience while also gaining a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability. Many pupils have grown in confidence, enjoyed hands-on learning and have taken real pride in seeing the results of their hard work bloom. One pupil said: “It makes me happy when I’m outside in the garden and I am proud of our award. I like to listen to music whilst we are gardening.”

Cambridge Park Academy Post-16 Provision pupils were invited to attend the official East Midlands in Bloom Awards Ceremony. When the time came for them to step up and receive the award, their bright smiles and sense of pride said it all. The experience was made even more memorable by the chance to meet the Mayor and Mayoress of Grimsby - a proud moment and true recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Sophie Anderson, Teacher at Cambridge Park Academy, shared her delight with the award: “This recognition is not only a testament to the dedication and hard work of the pupils but also to the wider school community who have supported the project; we are thrilled to celebrate the pupils’ achievements and look forward to building on this success in the future. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dawn and Mike from Great Coates Village for their incredible support in our community volunteering efforts and a special thank you also goes to the Grimsby Council Grounds Team for their continued dedication.”

Rachel Wilkes, CEO of Humber Education Trust, expressed her gratitude to the leadership, staff, pupils and wider school community: “Learners are at the heart of everything at Cambridge Park Academy, ensuring that every student’s school experience helps them grow both educationally and socially in a fun, engaging, caring and supportive environment. I was absolutely delighted to hear that our pupils have been awarded Gold in the East Midlands in Bloom Awards; this is a fantastic achievement and one that is very well deserved. It’s wonderful to see the skills, confidence and teamwork our pupils have developed through their involvement in horticulture. We are incredibly proud of all our pupils involved in this achievement – very well done to you all!”