Kew Gardens has revealed the winners of its annual Endeavour competitions for 2024/25.

The science challenge from Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew inspires pupils across the UK to explore plant science, the environment and future green careers.

This year saw the highest number of entries to date, with winning schools spanning from Wales to Northern Ireland, London and Surrey.

Each school has received £1,000 to spend on science, along with certificates, a letter of achievement and a personalised video message from a Kew scientist.

The winners are:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (Local Explorers): Ysgol Santes Tudful Gurnos, Wales
• Key Stage 1 (Pack Your Bags): Rokesly Infants and Nursery School, Haringey, London
• Key Stage 2 (Pack Your Bags): Hopelands School, Gloucester
• Key Stage 3 (Pack Your Bags): Loreto College, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
• Key Stage 4 (Tree of Life): Copthall School, Barnet, London
• Key Stage 5 (Tree of Life): Sutton Grammar School, Surrey

(Right) Winning entry from Ysgol Santes Tudful Gurnos, Wales (credit: iStock and RBG Kew).

For Ysgol Santes Tudful Gurnos in Wales, winning was especially significant.

Teachers said: "As a newly established primary school in one of the most deprived areas of the country, winning such a prestigious competition really puts us on the map.

"We want to give our pupils every possible opportunity to grow into responsible, enterprising and ethical citizens."

At Loreto College in Northern Ireland, students said the challenge had been "an extraordinary learning experience," inspiring them to explore the wide range of careers linked to science and the environment.

Helen Gill, Head of Schools and Teacher Training at RBG Kew, praised the winners.

She said: "Their creativity, scientific curiosity and commitment to learning have shone through in every entry.

"From designing expedition packs and exploring evolutionary trees, to observing local habitats and conducting real experiments — each project shows what's possible when young people are inspired to connect with the natural world."

Kew has also announced that the 2025/26 Endeavour competitions are now open.

With six prizes of £1,000 available, challenges range from cultivating a microhabitat and designing a Kew staff uniform to producing a podcast or video exploring the importance of green careers.

The Early Years and Key Stage 4 challenges have also been shortlisted for the 2025 Teach Awards, with winners to be announced in November.

The competition prize money is generously funded by Michael George. More details on how to enter can be found here.

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