This year’s entries for the BALI Chalk Student of the Year Awards saw the crowning of nine Regional Winners. From these, the Trustees Panel have selected their National Winners – and today we can share with you how takes away the Top Student Prizes in 2026
From the Trustees, we would like to extend congratulations to this year’s winners of the National Student of the Year Awards 2026:
- Caroline Bailey from London College of Garden Design (LCGD) for the Garden Design Student of the Year Award 2026
- Joe Lynch from Pershore (Warwickshire College) for the Landscape & Horticulture Student of the Year Award 2026
With entrant numbers doubling again year-on-year, our Trustees Panel had an even more challenging task of deciding who would take the lead this year. The Trustees reviewed all the Regional Winner’s entries and tutor submissions and selected the overall winners in the two categories based on their evidence:
- Describing the personal impact of their learning
- Detailing their greatest achievements
- Outlining their career goals and how they hoped to achieve them
- Sharing advice for future students who want to succeed as they have
Caroline Bailey, National Garden Design Student of the Year 2026
Winning the Regional Award in the intensely competitive South Thames region, Caroline shone as an outstanding example of someone who has translated experience and design skills from her previous career in TV and film production design. Keen to engage with young people from all backgrounds, Caroline cites a need for better, more relevant spaces and wants to promote the multitude of different professional roles that a horticultural career can offer – beyond planting into tech and placemaking.
“Changing from a career in TV and film to garden design in my 40s has been daunting at times. But it has meant a great deal to have this [BALI Chalk Award] encouragement at the start.”
Joe Lynch, National Landscape & Horticulture Student of the Year 2026
Joe is not afraid of hard graft – or of questioning normal conventions and processes. Balancing his gardening business alongside his studies, his National Award is in return for his dedication, mature attitude and commitment – especially in peer-to-peer sessions.
His tutor said:
“Achieving this award will help celebrate what a good learner he is and would be the start of a journey of horticultural recognition for his commitment to the industry and how he is actively contributing to it.”
The Awards Presentation
Both Winners will be officially presented with their Awards at this year’s BALI National Landscape Awards, alongside their tutors. As well as the accolade and kudos of winning such a prestigious award as they begin their careers, they also win £500 and a ROLO training course from Orchard Learning. Their college receives £500 also.
If you are interested in applying for next year’s Student of the Year Awards, please watch out for more announcements early in 2027 and speak to your College Tutors. In the meantime, you can also contact us for further information or to make a general enquiry.