Going gold in great outdoors

Adventurous primary youngsters at a Washington school have clinched the gold for their woodland work.

Barmston Village Primary School was given the gold award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities.

These included activities such as tree planting, visiting a local woodland, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.

The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen over 7,000 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, which include planting trees in their grounds, cutting down on carbon emissions and making an impact with recycling.

Barmston Village Primary School has planted new trees in their school grounds, taken trip to nearby wooded areas and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.

The youngsters are committed to the project and have enjoyed taking part.

Sara Bainbridge, headteacher at the primary, said: “I am very proud of the children’s commitment and understanding of the impact they can have on the environment. Our school values the wider curriculum and the enrichment children gain from taking part in initiatives such as the Woodland Trust.”

Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager, said: “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 finally an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.”

The Woodland Trust’s vision is a UK rich in woods and trees, enjoyed by everyone.

The charity is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, and protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.

The Green Tree Award is free for schools to take part in, and during 2017 the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools.

To find out how schools can get involved visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools.

“I am very proud of the children’s commitment” SARA BAINBRIDGE