Truro Prep School has become the first school in Cornwall to receive the Woodland Trust’s Gold Award after taking part in the ‘Green Tree Schools’ initiative.
Sarah Patterson, Head of Truro Prep, was presented with the plaque this month. More than 7,000 schools signed up to the initiative since it launched in 2008, so it was an impressive achievement.
The project saw students from all year groups get involved in green activities including tree planting, visiting a woodland, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.
The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees – Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager
Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager, explained: “The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees. The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities. As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and finally an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.”
The project spanned across multiple year groups, from Nursery to Year 6, with pupils in the Pre-Prep planting trees within their Enchanted Garden during Forest School lessons. The Pre-Prep students later led a school assembly on planting trees where they were able to explain what negative impacts would come from cutting down our trees, with students from Year 6 actively involved in teaching their younger schoolmates how to look after the environment.
Raising awareness at this age is so important for the future of our planet and if we can get them contributing towards reducing things like carbon emissions now, it really sets them on the right path for the future – Sarah Hudson, Head of Truro Pre-Prep
Sarah Hudson, Head of Truro Pre-Prep, said: “I’m really proud to see our young pupils taking such an active interest in the world around them. I think raising awareness at this age is so important for the future of our planet and if we can get them contributing towards reducing things like carbon emissions now, it really sets them on the right path for the future. We are now more motivated than ever now to work towards the coveted Platinum Award!”
