The Mayor of Hertsmere was joined by a Baron as the pair helped open a new Japanese Garden at a school.
After nine months of work, the garden, designed as a space for children to meditate, opened at Manor Lodge in Shenley.
'Space to be' was created to provide an opportunity for children to collect their thoughts and meditate after research showed that mental health is a growing issue among school children.
The Mayor of Hertsmere, Charles Goldstein, was accompanied by the deputy mayor Brenda Batten, and Lord Bichard of Nailsworth KCB, on April 21.
The landscaped garden complete with a fountain was created by Lynne Barnett, who has been involved with Manor Lodge for 22 years.
She said: "This place is so magical. The parents think it is fantastic and in some way spaces like this can be life changing."
The garden, influenced by the Shibumi landscaping principles, will be used for outdoor lessons and during break time.
Head of Manor Lodge, Alyson Lobo, added: “At Manor Lodge, we fundamentally believe that every child deserves a childhood.
"Children have a right to happiness and that can happen if we embrace childhood and allow our children freedom to discover who they are rather than launching them on a predestined route to adulthood.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here