National Gardening Week

Fundraising

As National Gardening Week arrives, we are taking the chance to celebrate all things green at Treloar’s.

Treloar College student outdoors near a potted rose bush on a sunny day. He is smiling and posing for a photo.

This National Gardening Week, we’re celebrating Treloar’s love of the outdoors—while also looking ahead to an exciting next phase for our Outdoor Learning Centre.

We are incredibly fortunate to have an on-site Outdoor Learning Centre—a vibrant space, designed to provide an area that can be used all year round to support students' love of nature and the outdoors. With raised planting beds, a sun canopy for shade, storytelling chairs, and even a fire pit for toasting marshmallows, it offers countless opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration.

Powered by our supporters: Bringing outdoor learning to life

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our funders, last year we completed a significant programme of construction works across the space. With major structural improvements to both the sensory garden and the greenhouse, these upgrades have created strong foundations for a more accessible, inclusive and year-round outdoor learning environment.

We are especially grateful to The National Garden Scheme, The Edward Gostling Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Peter Harrison Foundation and many other supporters whose funding made this transformation possible. Their generosity has enabled essential improvements, including a full electrical refurbishment of the greenhouse, the installation of a new heating system and sun canopy to better regulate temperature, and the introduction of enhanced accessibility features such as electric, sensor-operated doors—supporting greater independence for our students.

Alongside this, the addition of a fully accessible changing facility means students can spend longer outdoors without interruptions to their learning—further opening up opportunities to engage with nature.

With this major construction phase now complete, our ambition is to make even more of the space, expanding how it can be used for learning, independence and enjoyment. We are building on these strong foundations to unlock even greater opportunities for every learner at Treloar’s.

This is just the beginning. We are excited about what comes next—and we will be sharing an exciting announcement very soon.

Unlocking outdoor learning for every learner at Treloar's

Our most complex learners are now able to engage better with an increasing range of outdoor learning opportunities. Outdoor spaces are vital for those who experience multi-sensory processing difficulties in developing their senses and understanding their place in the world. The new Outdoor Learning Centre helps students to explore new sensations, experience the weather and engage in new tactile activities. This not only enables a more holistic learning experience but also supports overall health and well-being. Students can also undertake work experience in the greenhouse by planting bulbs, seeds, taking cuttings and enjoying a multi-sensory experience of sights, sounds, smells and touch.

Treloar's tutors have devised a timetable for the area so that it can be used by all school and college classes. The area is also used during the evenings for social time and at the weekends for termly boarders and those students who are on a 38 week provision.

A student assistant assists Treloar's student as they plant seeds in a raised garden bed inside a greenhouse.
2 Treloar School students outdoors on a sunny day in the sensory garden. They are both listening to the teacher who is not in the picture.
A group of people, including Treloar College student, tending to large green plants inside a greenhouse with natural light.
Treloar College student being pushed by his assistant along a sunny garden path with modern metal sculptures and greenery.
Treloar School student filling up a pot with soil with assistance in a greenhouse filled with potted plants. He is very focused on the task.
Treloar School student wearing a green Treloar's polo shirt outdoors in the sensory garden near garden beds with lavender shrubs.
  • A student assistant assists Treloar's student as they plant seeds in a raised garden bed inside a greenhouse.
  • 2 Treloar School students outdoors on a sunny day in the sensory garden. They are both listening to the teacher who is not in the picture.
  • A group of people, including Treloar College student, tending to large green plants inside a greenhouse with natural light.
  • Treloar College student being pushed by his assistant along a sunny garden path with modern metal sculptures and greenery.
  • Treloar School student filling up a pot with soil with assistance in a greenhouse filled with potted plants. He is very focused on the task.
  • Treloar School student wearing a green Treloar's polo shirt outdoors in the sensory garden near garden beds with lavender shrubs.

Treloar's student with a smile on his face: he is looking up into the sky; there are pots with flowers in the background.

Fundraise for us

You can help us fundraise in many ways: play our TRELOTTERY, attend an event, run a marathon, or hold a cake sale, the possibilities are endless!