CHILDREN AT NORTHOLMES JUNIOR SCHOOL GET FRUITFUL BY CREATING AN ORCHARD WITH THE TREE COUNCIL
The students join a national #ForceForNature inspired by The Tree Council’s Orchards for Schools project.
Children at Northolmes Junior school have become a force for nature in their community by planting a new orchard in their school grounds. Northolmes received an orchard pack from The Tree Council’s Orchards for Schools initiative. The scheme, which offers free orchard and fruiting hedgerow packs to schools around the country, is inspiring teachers and pupils to get outdoors, plant and care for fruit trees and hedges.
Schools and students have faced a very challenging year as they deal with the impacts of coronavirus. Planting a fantastic school orchard or hedgerow will reconnect students with nature and each other, and give them an opportunity to spend time in the outdoors, making themselves and their school environment healthier. Sara Lom, CEO, The Tree Council, said: “We know that 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.” Mrs Davey, outdoor learning teacher said “The children were really excited to receive their orchard during the lock down. However, it was really hard work to plant them as we only had 10 children in one of the Year 5/6 bubbles. However they took on the challenge whole heartedly despite this and the cold weather! They planted five fruit trees- two apple, one cherry, one plum and one pear tree.
