Pupils from Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC) have taken part in some tree planting sessions as part of National Tree Week.

National Tree Week is arranged by The Tree Council and their partners and marks the traditional start of the winter tree planting season.  At this time of year, trees are dormant and so experience the least stress when being placed in their new homes – to hopefully thrive into maturity, bringing huge nature, wellbeing and biodiversity benefits to all.

 A group of pupils in Years 3 to 6 from CEC, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust family of schools, went along to Elbury Farm, for the first of several planned visits to learn about the tree planting process.  The children walked to the farm, which helped them experience the richness of Cranbrook and discover how much is accessible within walking distance.  All the children thoroughly enjoyed hearing about how to plant trees and they then worked together to successfully plant a variety of trees. 

One pupil at the school actually has a grandparent who used to farm the land at Elbury Farm and now, years later, their grandchild is helping to plant trees there.  Their family supplied an old black and white picture of the farm so the pupils could see what the farm looked like in days gone by.  For the family involved, it was a meaningful full-circle moment - a way for two generations to feel connected.

985 trees have now been planted by Cranbrook pupils.  Years from now, they’ll be able to walk through a forest they helped plant, an incredible achievement and a testament to the school’s partnership with the National Trust.

CEC is on target to plant a tree to represent every pupil at their campus.  The intention is to create a forest that represents the school community and will support local wildlife and wellbeing for generations to come.

 Krisha Gandhi, Head of Primary & Senior Deputy Head of Campus, at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

“Trees and hedgerows help us tackle climate change, provide homes for wildlife, improve our health and so much more.  We need to help them back and by getting our pupils involved in tree planting, they are taking part in growing a greener, tree-filled future for all of us. 

“This generation is incredibly knowledgeable about climate change compared to previous ones, and on the farm was a tangible sense of proactive, sustainable action from the children.  This project ties into our mission of making the world a better place, and this trip felt like a real example of that in action.

“Planting a tree is such a hopeful and selfless an act as it will live beyond us and provide shade and beauty for those the children will never meet.  Cranbrook has its own history—and as a school community, we’re continuing to add to that story today.”

 Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“It’s lovely to hear that CEC has been taking part in National Tree Week celebrations.  Their plan to plant a forest of trees that represent their pupils is such a wonderful way of giving back to the local community and the environment and I can’t wait to see how it develops.”