Steve Thorpe has been running a gardening club at Haworth Primary and Nursery School in West Yorkshire for five years.
What began as an attempt to curb vandalism in the area by teaching children about nurturing and growing things has blossomed into a major allotment operation. School-grown peas, leeks, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot, runner beans and Brussels sprouts have all appeared on the lunchtime menu this year.
Mr Thorpe said, 'A lot of children think veg comes out of a bag, but we make sure we involve the whole school in digging up potatoes and picking veg, so they can all see where the food comes from and how it grows. It should all be about fun and enjoyment at this age, keeping the children interested and stimulated.'
The nursery also has its own nature garden and frog pond. By next spring the gardening club will have added a sensory garden of herbs and planted special bushes to attract butterflies.
The garden has also cultivated community spirit, as the children plant flowers at the doctor's surgery and the police, fire, and railway stations twice a year. They also regularly deliver vegetables to the local old people's home.
Mr Thorpe said, 'Over the years, gardening has given lots of children with various behavioural problems or special needs something to focus on and have ownership of, and given them a calmer approach to the way they deal with day to day situations.'
The 1,000 prize money from the award will be going towards extending the greenhouse.