UWTSD Physical Education Students Learn from Award-Winning School Garden Project at Queen Elizabeth High School
Level 6 BA Physical Education students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David visited Queen Elizabeth High School in Johnstown, where they explored the school’s award-winning garden project and engaged directly with pupils and staff who have co-created this thriving outdoor learning space.
The visit was hosted by Annalise Williams, Teaching and Learning Mentor and Food Teacher, who introduced students to the evolution of the project and the innovative curriculum approaches embedded within it. Working with Year 8 pupils, Annalise and colleagues have developed a rich blend of project-based and problem-based learning that connects sustainability, food systems, environmental responsibility, and several cross-curricular connections.
A key purpose of the visit was to invite UWTSD students to learn in context; to observe how experiential learning is currently implemented in schools, and to reflect on their own emerging professional identities. For many, the garden was an inspiring example of how innovative outdoor education projects can cultivate not only knowledge discovery and practical skills, but also teamwork, resilience, motivation, and well-being.
Students saw firsthand how the pupils had co-designed the garden beds, researched crop options, developed menus, and created solutions for challenges such as food miles, sustainable energy, and emergency food preparation. One UWTSD student said:
“It is interesting how they used a real-life topic (red weather warnings) to structure lessons. Something different I haven’t seen before”.
During the visit, QE High pupils shared honest and insightful reflections on their learning experience. They mentioned how working in the garden has strengthened their relationships, supported their social-emotional development, and connected physical activity with meaningful, real-world tasks like digging, building, and problem-solving. They also shared their interests, challenges and dreams related to their learning contexts, highlighting their preference for a combination of classroom-based tasks and outdoor opportunities. One QEHS student stated:
“The project allowed us to understand how vegetables are grown and gave us an authentic learning experience we have never had before”.
These conversations were highly valuable for UWTSD students, who engaged in dialogue about inclusive practice, motivation, the role of educators in the Curriculum for Wales, and how physical education can evolve to support broader life skills.
Before departing, PE students toured the school garden, Gardd Hiraeth, with Gareth Evans, Garden Lead from the QE High team and reflected on how projects like this challenge conventional classroom boundaries. They discussed opportunities for interprofessional collaboration and the potential for outdoor and experiential learning to enrich Physical Education, foster autonomy, and increase engagement. BA Physical Education student, Ryan Roberts, said:
“The visit was very worthwhile as they showcased their garden project and all the positives the garden brings to the school, the pupils and how they have used the garden across different areas of the curriculum.”
Site visits like this one are a vital component of professional learning at UWTSD. By engaging with local schools and community-driven projects, students gain an authentic understanding of the environments they will work in as educators. They see how collaboration across subjects, departments, and organisations can deliver powerful and holistic learning experiences for children and young people. Mache Treviño, UWTSD lecturer in Outdoor and Adventure Education, said:
“Our role as educators is constantly evolving, and this project was an inspiring example of how different areas of knowledge can work together to spark meaningful and impactful learning.”
We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from this successful project and hope to continue our collaboration, supporting shared objectives around sustainability, well-being, and educational innovation.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476