CHILDREN from Hanbury C of E First School have been getting in touch with nature by planting a new mini-orchard and hedgerow in and around their grounds.
The Eco Council received an orchard pack from The Tree Council’s Orchards for Schools scheme which which offers free orchard and fruiting hedgerow packs, inspiring teachers and pupils to get outdoors, plant and care for fruit trees and hedges.
Each class’ Eco Councillors planted an apple, pear or plum tree along the pathway into school on Friday and have co-ordinated planting over ten metres of hedgerow around the playground.
Eco Council co-ordinator and year one teaching assistant Carys Adams said: “Our school vision is ‘Flourishing Through Love and Nurture’.
“What better way to explore this than by providing the children with the chance to nurture their own orchard, which we hope will bear fruit as the years pass.”
The planting will also contribute to the Queen’s Jubilee Green Canopy project and is another step towards Eco Council’s application for an Eco Schools Green Flag.
Mrs Adams added: “As a rural school, we make the most of our outdoor spaces as much as possible.”
The school recently ‘brought the outdoors in’ to transform the entire school building into a more more natural and sustainable learning environment.
Sara Lom, CEO, The Tree Council, said: “We know young people are an inspirational force for nature.
“The Orchards for Schools programme allows young people to plant fruit-bearing, wildlife-enhancing, carbon-storing orchard or fruiting hedgerow, a lasting and leafy legacy for their school.
“In what has been a very challenging year, the project allows young people to re-connect to nature and each other, and to share what they have learnt about the amazing power of trees.”
The tenacious Hanbury Eco Council already also have plenty more planting plans for the future.
