Children at Hucknall’s Hillside Primary School plant new saplings

The school, which has extensive playground areas, is already keen on conservation and has its own gardening club and greenhouse to grow vegetables, but wanted to do more to encourage wildlife.

Ruth Stamper, a teaching assistant at the school, said: “We have planted 30 saplings of hawthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose and dogwood to make a hedge in the wildlife pond area.”

Judith Bullin and Karen Weatherall, local green fingered heroes who help at the school joined Ruth and the children to plant the hedge.

Mrs Bullin said, “The school has a fabulous open area to use and is supported by staff and parents alike. One parent even did a parachute jump to raise the money for the poly-tunnel! We are making the most of what the school has and the pupils are learning a lot about where food comes from, how to grow it and about wildlife habitat too.”

The school’s Monday night gardening club not only helps to teach students about gardening and wildlife, but has extra benefits too! Karen Weatherall said, “Pupils also get to take home vegetables that they have set and grown and we get positive comments from families who have tried the produce.” Mrs Bullin said that it’s a joy to see children enjoy gardening and growing food, “They have taken home herbs and vegetables and a particular favourite with pupils and parents are the strawberries!”

The Woodland Trust has 4000 free packs to give away to schools and community groups that want to improve wildlife areas in their community.