School Projects

Warden Park Secondary Academy, Cuckfield, West Sussex – 57 Tree Project Delivered November 2021

Two action packed tree planting event days on 19th and 20th November 2021 was the culmination of a tree planting project which began before the pandemic, with funds being raised during it. At the event students planted potted silver birches in one location, dug holes and ferried  pear, apple and cherry trees to their planting locations as well as for limes, beeches, hazels and sweet chestnut trees planned for spaces on the edges of the school site.

The 57 trees were in the plan which was drafted by Liam Lord a Sussex Park Ranger who gave his time supporting the project . Donors and sponsors from the crowdfunding campaign organised by TreeAction and raising over £7000 also turned up to plant the trees they had sponsored. The funds raised also paid for a deer fence to protect the fruit trees, a polly tunnel for growing plants, and pond lining for a new pond being built in the garden area to the rear of the school. The area now provides an excellent location for students to relax, connect with nature, with the trees and the pond also increasing  biodiversity.

Buckingham Park Primary School – 60 Trees project in 3 stages including December 2021 and March 2021

On 9th December 2021 5th year students at Buckingham Park Primary school, Shoreham by Sea planted Rowan trees and an Indian Bean Tree on school grounds with the help of arborist Peter Whish who also talked to them about the importance of trees and sustainability. Staff from RLF and Garden Sage nurseries planted a further 18 trees, plums, silver birches, cherry, acers and a liquid amber tree on school grounds.

A further 14 trees including Pear trees and a walnut tree were planted in March 2022. All tree varieties were selected to provide fruit, interesting leaves, flowers and colour bark types to engage the students as well as develop biodiversity. The project was paid for by parents and local businesses via TreeAction’s 2nd successful crowdfunding campaign whose supporters included RLF, Aviva Community Fund, Co-Op and Brighton City Airport, and Bailey Solutions Ltd and parents,  and also thanks to a separate donation of over £4000 by local technology business the Focus Group Ltd. TreeAction gave the school a plan to look after the trees which has been fully adopted by the school, with students of all 22 classes now responsible for their own dedicated trees which they will care for every year. You can read their feedback about their experience of caring for their trees here : Students from Buckingham Park Primary School give feedback on their Trees | Tree Action UK

The final stage of the project which will includes planting 10 cherry trees on the site is scheduled for December 2022.

Eastbrook Primary Academy, West Sussex – 12 Trees Project plus extension of water retention

In March 2022 students from Eastbrook Primary Academy in Southwick planted 12 Oak, Silver Birch and Lime trees on site in their forest school area that we acquired from tree nursery More Trees Please. Tree Action sourced a gardener support to support the planting alongside the schools Forest School teachers, with the schools new Headmaster also helping all the students from Year 1 to Year 6 to be involved in planting. Students have named their trees and will be responsible for looking after and watering them.

Year 6 students will pass their tree on the new Reception year in a special handover ceremony before they leave for secondary school which will take place every year. The trees were paid for from TreeActions 2nd successful crowdfunding campaign with supporters including parents and Shoreham Power Station. The next stage will be building a sustainable watering system for new and existing trees and we have provided a plan for this which has been given the go ahead. We’ll also be providing funds for the school to buy tools and watering cans for the students.