Growing Change: Creating Colchester’s First Agents of Change Garden
St Lawrence Primary School, Colchester, have planted the seeds of something truly special. As part of the very first Colchester Schools Gardening Competition, run in partnership with the Skinny Jean Gardener, their pupils created a stunning Agents of Change garden — proudly displayed outside the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.
From the very beginning, the project was about more than just planting flowers. It was about teamwork, creativity, sustainability and making a positive impact on the local community. The children worked together to design and build a garden that reflected the values of the Agents of Change initiative — caring for the planet, nurturing nature and inspiring others to take action.
With guidance and encouragement from the Skinny Jean Gardener, pupils learned practical gardening skills, from planting and watering to understanding how different plants support wildlife and biodiversity. They thought carefully about how their garden could be both beautiful and meaningful, creating a space that encouraged people passing by to pause, reflect and feel inspired.
Seeing their garden set up outside the Mercury Theatre was a proud and powerful moment for everyone involved. Positioned in such a prominent and cultural part of Colchester, the Agents of Change garden became a visible symbol of what young people can achieve when they are empowered to make a difference.
The competition itself brought together schools from across Colchester, all working towards a shared goal of greener spaces and stronger communities. But St Lawrence Primary School’s garden stood out as a true celebration of youth voice, environmental action and local collaboration.
This project showed that even small hands can grow big change. The St Lawrence pupils proved that when children are given the opportunity to lead, create and care, they don’t just build gardens — they build hope for a greener, kinder future.
Well done to all the young Agents of Change at St Lawrence Primary School for growing something truly inspiring!
Photos from St Lawrence C of E Primary School