Weston Hills Primary School achieves Woodland Trust's top award
Weston Hills Primary School has been awarded a prestigious platinum award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities including tree planting and work in local woodlands.
The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen more than 12,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008, offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.
Schools win awards for participating in green activities, both in and out of the classroom. Weston Hills has planted 30 new trees in its school grounds, visited local woods, created a woodland nature trail and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.
Teacher Donna Upsall said: "The children put so much effort into the activities, both in our school grounds and in our local woodlands. The whole school has joined in and learnt so much about our native woodlands in doing so.
"So many children have been going for walks with their parents in places like Bourne Woods and coming back in to school to share their experiences. We hope to continue our work later in the year with a visit to Snipe Dales with the KS2 children. It has been a really worthwhile experience that we hope to continue to be involved with in the future.”
Woodland Trust schools and communities engagement manager Karen Letten added: “The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees.
"The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities. As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and at gold an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges this environmental accolade. Only a handful of schools have moved on to achieve platinum, making this a huge accomplishment for the school.”
The Woodland Trust’s vision is for a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife. The charity is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, as well as protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.
The Green Tree Schools Award is free to take part in and the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools. Find out how your school can get involved at woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools
