Pupils Take The Classroom Outdoors
Co-op Academy Portland pupils took the classroom outdoors in March when they planted free trees from the Woodland Trust.
The school successfully applied for a Urban trees and Copse pack of 30 with species ranging from crab apple, silver birch and wild cherry trees after hearing about the scheme from the Co-op Academy Trust’s Community Development Team.
Miss Barr, a Level 5 Teaching Assistant and the school’s Eco Lead said: “Planting trees at Co-op Academy Portland is an essential and meaningful way for us to contribute to both our present and future.
“By participating in this project, we’ve not only made a positive environmental impact but also strengthened our sense of community. Working alongside a wonderful group of volunteers from the Co-op, we’ve witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and the difference we can make when we all come together.
“This initiative ties directly into our school values of sustainability, responsibility, and teamwork, while also linking to our curriculum for learning. Through this hands-on experience, we've gained a deeper understanding of the importance of caring for our planet and how we can build a better, greener future.
“We are excited to continue working with such inspiring volunteers and to keep nurturing our shared commitment to the environment. The children thoroughly enjoyed this experience and are incredibly proud of the work they’ve done. It’s an achievement they will carry with them, knowing they’ve played a part in making our school and the world a little greener.”
The Woodland Trust’s Schools and Community Engagement Manager Karen Letten Said: “Trees create inspiring learning spaces - natural, sustainable, and dynamic outdoor classrooms where pupils can mix mud with maths and spades with science while connecting with nature and having fun. It’s these lessons that the children will remember well into adulthood.”
Woodland Trust commissioned research shows that primary age children who plant trees felt that they were ‘doing their bit’ to help the environment and remember it as a significant experience.
The Trust has over a million saplings to give away each year, thanks to generous funding by lead partners Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Bank, OVO Energy, DFS Furniture, players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Joules, Bank of Scotland and Sofology.
Other schools can apply by visiting the Woodland Trust website or searching for ‘school tree packs’ online. woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees