Teach17

Tate Britain and the Royal Horticultural Society are joining forces on a major new education project that will bring together art, gardening, nature, climate and creativity.

Called Creative Ground, the programme will be based in the new Clore Garden at Tate Britain and will offer free workshops for primary, secondary and SEND schools.

Here are 17 things teachers should know.

1. Tate Britain and the RHS are working together

Creative Ground brings together two organisations with very different strengths: Tate Britain’s expertise in art and creativity and the Royal Horticultural Society’s work with plants, gardening and horticultural education.

2. It has been created specifically for schools and young people

This is more than simply a new garden that schools can visit. A dedicated programme of learning activities and workshops is being developed for children and young people.

3. School workshops will be free

One of the biggest attractions for schools is that workshops will be free for primary, secondary and SEND schools.

4. Bookings open on 2 November 2026

Teachers interested in taking a group should make a note of the date. Bookings are due to open on 2 November 2026.

5. The first workshops will run in summer 2027

The first Creative Ground school workshops are planned for the 2027 summer term.

6. More than 600 young people could visit every month

Once the programme is up and running, it is expected to reach more than 600 children and young people each month.

7. There will be a purpose-built Garden Classroom

A new classroom is being created within Tate Britain’s Clore Garden. The lightweight, single-storey building will provide a sheltered teaching space while opening directly onto the garden.

8. Learning will move beyond the traditional classroom

Pupils will be able to learn through plants, artworks, observation, practical activities, discussion and exploration rather than spending the whole visit inside a conventional classroom or gallery space.

9. Art and gardening will come together

Creative Ground will explore the connections between creativity and horticulture, opening up possibilities for art, science, geography, design, sustainability and other areas of the curriculum.

10. Climate change will form part of the learning

Young people will be encouraged to explore their relationship with the natural world, environmental change and the idea of stewardship – how people can care for the places and environments around them.

11. The garden itself is being designed for a changing climate

Planting is being selected partly for its ability to cope with the UK’s changing climate. The garden will include trees, flowers, herbaceous planting and a wildlife pond.

12. Biodiversity will be something pupils can actually see

Rather than biodiversity remaining an idea in a textbook, pupils will be able to explore a real garden environment. For science and geography teachers, there are obvious links to habitats, ecosystems, adaptation and environmental change.

13. Wellbeing is an important part of the project

The programme has been developed partly in response to conversations with schools and youth groups about young people’s limited access to green spaces and concerns around wellbeing.

14. SEND schools have helped shape the thinking

Schools working with SEND pupils have contributed to discussions around the project. The value of hands-on, sensory and immersive learning has been highlighted as an important part of what the garden could offer.

15. Teachers will also have access to free resources

Tate is developing free online resources for teachers exploring links between art and nature. Self-guided resources for exploring the garden are also planned.

16. This is a long-term commitment

Creative Ground is not being set up as a short-lived project. The Clore Duffield Foundation has made a 10-year funding commitment, supporting the development of the programme and dedicated RHS education roles.

17. It could make Tate Britain relevant to far more school subjects

A Tate Britain trip may traditionally have been associated mainly with art, but Creative Ground could make the site useful to science, geography, sustainability, design, PSHE and cross-curricular projects too.

For schools looking for a London trip that combines creativity, nature, practical learning and environmental education, this could become one to watch.

Key dates and information

Bookings open: 2 November 2026

First school workshops: Summer term 2027

Location: Clore Garden, Tate Britain, Millbank, London

School workshops: Free for primary, secondary and SEND schools

Find out more about Tate Britain:
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

Find out more about the RHS:
https://www.rhs.org.uk