Ellington Infant School in Ramsgate has received a commendation at the 2025–2026 Wilder Kent Awards, recognising its inspiring work to enhance biodiversity across its school grounds.
The prestigious awards, presented by Kent Wildlife Trust, celebrate outstanding contributions to environmental conservation across the county. This year, 90 organisations were shortlisted, with more than 25,000 individuals taking action for nature.
Collectively, these efforts have benefited over 400,000 people and improved or restored nearly 70 hectares of land – equivalent to approximately 98 football pitches.
Ellington Infant School earned its commendation through a hands-on, pupil-led approach to environmental improvement. The School Council, working alongside Outdoor Learning Lead Jennifer Stockley, led the transformation of the school’s outdoor space.
Pupils began by mapping existing habitats and identifying the balance between green and grey areas across the grounds. They then turned their ideas into action by designing and building a bug hotel within the forest school, creating a safe habitat for local wildlife.
This project not only enriched the school environment but also helped pupils understand their role in protecting the natural world.
Dani Jamieson, Assistant Headteacher, said: “The main aim was to teach our pupils that small changes in one school can make a big difference. What has been most inspiring is the way the children approached this work—with curiosity, kindness, and a real sense of care for the world around them. From noticing tiny insects to thinking about how to create better habitats, they have shown that even small hands can make a big difference to nature.”
Tom White, Education Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust, added: “Every year we are blown away by the entries we receive. These projects are creating habitats for wildlife, restoring natural spaces, and tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis we all face. The awards also celebrate the people behind these efforts, and the ceremony was a wonderful way to recognise their impact.”
