Garden and greenhouse classes good for kids

Kids who are given garden and greenhouse classes at school often become more resilient and feel happier and more confident as a result.

That is according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gardening in Schools – A Vital Tool for Childrens Learning study, which noted how children benefit from being introduced to growing things at a young age.

RHS director of science and learning Dr Simon Thornton Wood encouraged the new coalition government to take heed of the results, suggesting that more youngsters be given the opportunity to learn the ways of the gardener.

"Schools which integrate gardens into the curriculum are developing children who are much more responsive to the challenges of adult life," he explained.

As well as confidence and self-esteem, gardening can boost knowledge, understanding, literacy and numeracy, added Gillian Pugh, chairwoman of the National Childrens Bureau and the Cambridge Primary Review.

Meanwhile, the RHS has continued to upgrade its website with a new colour scheme and logo.