RHS School Gardening Awards
Level 4

Level 4 focuses on gardening for wildlife and using gardening to support the curriculum. It is also about inspiring others beyond your school by sharing plants and seeds

How do we achieve Level 4?

To achieve Level 4, you need to demonstrate the following:

  • Our gardening supports wildlife
  • We use gardening to support the curriculum
  • We share our plants or seeds with others

How do I apply?

Complete our online form to submit your evidence to reach the RHS Level 4 Award

children gardening

When you are ready to apply for Level 4, please submit up to 100 words for each of the above criteria explaining how you have met each one. For school submissions, please show how at least 10 pupils have been involved when you submit your evidence. You are welcome to include quotes from children and young people as part of your submission.

Submit evidence

School rewards

Once you have achieved Level 4 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement

To help you move up to Level 5, you will also receive:

  • £100 National Garden Gift Voucher
  • A copy of RHS Gardening School​, an RHS book
  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.​

Group and individual rewards

Once you have achieved Level 4 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement


To help you move up to Level 5, you will also receive:

  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.

Information and resources to support your submission:

Our gardening supports wildlife

How are you encouraging and protecting wildlife? This might include:

  • Leaving some areas of grass to grow long
  • Providing food and water for wildlife
  • Planting for pollinators

We use gardening to support our curriculum

Gardening enriches the entire curriculum from science, literacy and maths, to geography, art and design and PSHE. This might include:

  • Designing and producing signs for the growing area
  • Cooking harvested produce
  • Using nature as inspiration for poetry or art

We share our plants or seeds with others

Sharing plants or seeds can be a first step in using gardening to connect with others within and beyond the school. This might include:

  • Children and young people taking plants or seeds home to grow with their families
  • Establishing a collection point for the local community
  • Organising or attending a plant or seed-sharing event

  • Sharing plants or seeds with a local school or nursery
  • Sharing plants with a local residential home
  • Sharing plants or seeds with a local allotment group

Ready for the next level?

Find out how you can achieve our Level 5 award.

Apply now 

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.