The first school to take part in a groundbreaking national environmental award scheme which has inspired more than two million children, has praised its transformative impact and urged other schools to take part.
The Green Tree Schools Award, run by the Woodland Trust, celebrated its 15-year anniversary last year, and has now seen more than a third of all UK schools join and learn about woods, wildlife, nature and the environment in a fun and practical way.
Market Harborough C of E Academy in Leicestershire signed up to the UK’s largest conservation charity’s inspirational scheme in 2008 and – like thousands of other schools – started completing simple green activities, such as nature walks, tree-planting and recycling to gain points and earn bronze, silver and gold awards.
The journey doesn’t stop at the top of the “Olympic” podium, with the prestigious platinum award completing the journey following a golden performance.
And there’s no better time to join the fun than during National Tree Week, which is on from now until Sunday, 1 December.
Teacher Nick Bradley said the Woodland Trust’s Green Tree School Award has been “fantastic” on so many levels, including getting children involved in nature and doing wonders for their mental health.
“The benefits for the children are never ending,” he added. “They learn leaderships skills, gain confidence, find freedom and fun in nature, and find bugs!
“It gets them out of the classroom and interested in the environment and the world around them.
“They're immersing themselves in nature and it's creating a generation that cares about our world. That will have a timeless impact. Schools really should get involved; it’s a wonderful scheme.”
- In the East Midlands, almost 600 schools have registered for the GTSA over the past 16 years, with 132 in Leicestershire – of which 23 have achieved silver or above.
- Across central England more than 7,000 schools have signed up to the scheme, with 2,657 schools at bronze level and above. There are 484 with gold awards and 88 at platinum.
Now a “Platinum School” – Market Harborough School was the first-ever school to grab gold.
Their first task was to plant a copse of native trees in the school grounds, but planting trees is just one of numerous activities pupils can use to earn points and a place on the podium – and beyond!
“My favourite thing about working on the Green Tree School Award and being around the children outside, is just seeing their world light up for them,” Nick added.
“You get to see children show different strengths you wouldn’t see in the classroom. Children that can find learning hard in the classroom can really shine when they're outside in a different environment.”
Woodland Trust schools engagement manager Karen Letten has been watching Market Harborough School – and the trees – grow with great pride and pleasure since the very beginning of their GTSA journey.
“It's amazing to come back and see how those tiny saplings have flourished.” she said. “They’ve shot up, just like the children who nurtured and cared for them over 15 years ago. I’m sure the pupils will never forget the day they planted the trees – I hope they’ll visit in the future to see their progress – maybe with their own children!”
Around 8,000 UK schools have achieved at least bronze status, but Karen has much bigger ambitions: “I want every UK school to be a Green Tree School.
“Signing up and taking part is incredibly quick, easy and totally free. And there’s a host of interesting activities and challenges to take part in – both in and out of the classroom. It’s not just planting trees. Even schools with very little outdoor space can get involved and progress through the awards.
“But, from woodland visits to tree parties and planting trees, as Market Harborough have done, getting involved in nature is a pivotal experience for children. And we know that they very often remember this well into adulthood.”
And for any school that wants to plant trees, the Woodland Trust can help there too – with millions of trees given to schools and community groups every year. All a school needs to do is apply for as many saplings as they can accommodate. The charity and its funders will do the rest.
Our free tree packs have been generously funded by lead partners Sainsbury's, Lloyds Banking Group, OVO, Sofology and Simplyhealth.
