School secures funding to develop urban farm after Chelsea Flower Show garden success

In 2023, Alec Reed Academy, an all-through school in Ealing, became one of two London schools to welcome our relocated RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden. Nestled at the entrance to the primary school, the garden has given children a vibrant space for outdoor learning and discovery. 

Now, building on that success, the Academy is set to transform its wider Academy Fields site into an urban farm complete with a growing kitchen garden, outdoor classroom, pond and even livestock. The new development will open up even more opportunities for pupils to learn about growing and producing food and discovering the natural world. 

We spoke to Outdoor Learning Manager, Jonathan Groom, and Primary Assistant Headteacher, Katie White, about how the project is taking shape. 

How did the Chelsea Garden inspire this next stage of developing the Academy Fields site into an urban farm?  

Katie White: After the garden came in, we held a celebration event where one of our sponsors cut the ribbon. There was such excitement around the garden – it really sparked people’s imaginations. 

We were asked to join a working party to come up with ideas on how to develop the Academy Fields site at the school. That’s where the idea of an urban farm and forest school began. The Chelsea Garden created such a buzz and helped people see the value of outdoor learning. I think that definitely influenced our thinking. 

Jonathan Groom: That buzz was still very much alive when I started in September 2024. From the Chelsea garden, there was already a clear appetite for outdoor learning, and the Academy Fields site offered so much potential – from forest school activities to ponds, growing spaces and wildlife areas. It’s a really exciting opportunity to expand on what had begun. 

How did the concept of the farm take shape? 

Katie: The working party was led by our Principal, Phil Cosby, and involved both primary and secondary staff. There were lots of ideas but the urban farm stood out. A colleague and I visited a private school with its own urban farm to see how they integrated it into lessons. From there, we developed a plan for what ours could look like – and then we needed someone to lead it. That’s when Jonathan joined the team. 

How is the farm currently being used? 

Jonathan: We’re already running gardening clubs for both primary and secondary pupils, as well as a secondary land-based studies BTEC course. The primary children focus mainly on maintaining the Chelsea garden but they also come over to grow and harvest crops. It’s been great to see them engaging with different vegetables and learning where their food comes from.

What’s growing on the site now and what comes next? 

Jonathan: We’ve planted apples, plums, pears and cherries. Hopefully, next year we’ll see our first small crop. We’re also looking at introducing animals, starting with chickens. I’ve been speaking with Ealing Council who manage a programme moving livestock such as goats, sheep, cows and horses around local meadow sites. They’re keen to bring some animals here temporarily which would be a brilliant addition for the students. 

How are the children involved in shaping the plans? 

Jonathan: Children have helped choose crops, plant seeds and decide which varieties to grow. When we bring animals in, we’ll ask them which species they’d most like to care for. The aim is for them to be actively involved in all aspects of the farm, from husbandry to harvesting. 

How is the produce being used, how does it link to classroom learning and what are your plans for it in the future? 

Jonathan: This year has been a bit of an experiment. Most produce has been shared among staff and gardening club participants but we’re planning to link it more directly with food technology and cooking lessons, as well as community vegetable schemes. 

Katie: In primary, we use the School Food Matters garden for cooking projects – last year, Year 2 made soups with what they’d grown.  

Looking ahead, we hope the urban farm will eventually generate income to sustain itself. We’re exploring ideas like offering workshops for other schools and creating opportunities for children to sell produce within the community. 

What impact has learning outdoors had on the children? 

Jonathan: The children absolutely love it. They find it calming and often say they feel less stressed after being outside. They’re fascinated by seeing where food comes from – when we dug up potatoes, they were amazed that the same potatoes they buy in shops come from the soil.