Students transform outdoor learning area by planting trees

Eco-friendly students at Abbot’s Lea School have planted 250 trees as part of an ongoing project to transform their outdoor learning provision.

The specialist Woolton-based school received the saplings from the Woodland Trust after successfully applying for a range of tree types, including silver birch, wild cherry and crab apple, in order to create a new forest area for all to enjoy.

Class Australia, in key stage four, led the project as part of their horticulture qualification, and laid the foundation by digging holes for the saplings to be planted into. The group received further help from younger pupils in classes USA and Canada in the primary department.

Once the ground was ready, every student within the school got the chance to plant their own tree.

The outdoor learning provision will form a unique forest school that students of all ages can appreciate, whilst allowing them to get to know the great outdoors.

Anthony McVerry, head of secondary department at Abbot’s Lea School, said: “As a school we are keen to provide our students with the opportunity to learn both inside and outside of the classroom to discover new knowledge, gain new skills and develop new interests.

“The Woodland Trust offers free saplings to schools across the country and this is a great way for our students to play a part in the development of the school and contribution to a much bigger national eco-project.

“By asking students to plant their own trees, they are leaving a lasting legacy for the future generations of Abbot’s Lea School students.

“It is key that each student contributes to our vision of making this the best specialist school in the world and that they can take this experience with them and remember it for years to come”.