This report is about the Trees for Schools project where climate resilient trees have been planted in a local primary school thanks to support from Riello UPS. They have sponsored planting of trees in 2 other schools as well. See the rest of the projects they have supported here.
Every tree planting workshop in the Trees for Schools programme is bespoke and tailored to the needs of the school. We take into account the age of the children and the existing availability of green space for new trees. A pre-planting consultation with the school helps us to understand which species will best suit their plans for the site, map out the planting and plan how the trees will be best used as a resource for the school and community.
Our Educational Officers teach the children how to plant trees and tailor the session to the year group. Children can learn about: signs of the seasons, seeds and life cycles, sounds of the forest, tree and animal identification, food chains, climate change and predators and prey. This project works with and goes beyond the curriculum, helping to improve access to nature in urban areas and connection with wildlife from a young age.
Through this project, young people are taught about the importance of trees to local wildlife and why we need to plant them to help protect our planet. As well as educating children about climate change and wildlife, this project helps create green learning spaces with benefits for health and wellbeing.
Felldyke Community Primary School undertook an exciting tree planting project to transform its outdoor space into a greener and environmentally friendly area for pupils and staff.
The key motivations behind the planting were to provide a more varied landscape for children to explore and learn in, attract more wildlife, enhance the visual appeal of the school field, and support natural drainage on the sports field.
The newly planted area has been thoughtfully designed to create a mixed woodland and open space environment, tailored for both outdoor learning and play. A unique feature of the design is the formation of interlocking circles of trees, complemented by smaller clusters around the edges. These have been carefully positioned to make the most of natural sunlight.
As the trees grow, the school anticipates a significant impact on how the grounds are used. The new landscape will offer diverse foliage and habitats to support curriculum-based learning in science and nature topics, and provide dedicated spaces for play, exploration, and reflection. One of the tree circles is earmarked for a seating area, while the more open areas will be managed as wildflower meadows, and shaded spots will host log piles to create homes for invertebrates.
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Jessica is a qualified primary school teacher and a former People and Wildlife Officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust. She says: “I find it so rewarding to see how much knowledge children absorb during a day out in a woodland, as well as how much they enjoy it! Growing up in Northumberland I was lucky enough to go on regular family walks to woodlands, where I would take part in treasure hunts, build dens, look for wildlife and make up stories. Many children now don’t get so many opportunities to explore woodlands, so I love showing school groups how much fun they can be!”
As a GreenTheUK partner, you support projects that are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
