TreeAction are raising funds for an orchard of 20 fruit trees to be planted on the grounds of Durrington Infant and Junior School in the 24/25 season. The planting itself would involve the students who will also be caring for those trees and harvesting the fruit for years to come. This will be TreeActions 8th school project in Sussex of between 20 – 50 trees. You can find out more about previous school projects we have organised or supported here – https://treeactionuk.org/school-projects/
Durrington Infant and Junior support a considerable number of vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils and their families. They have a food bank supporting up to 50 families each month, offering breakfast to pupils, and each Friday make surplus food available to families who cannot always provide fresh fruit to their children. Fruit from the orchard would also be offered mid-morning snacks to any pupils.
The varieties to be ordered will likely include pear, plum and cherry trees and the project will help the school to address an educational vacuum through hands on tree care and fruit picking as part of the curriculum.
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Above: Site at the school where the orchard will be planted is next to several areas near the playground. The trees will be mature trees aged between 3-5 years old UK native grown. Below:
Some of the young eco-team and year 3 cohort at the school ( pictured ) will be involved in planting looking after the trees. Some are school councilors as well so represent their class. In addition the school’s nursery children will pay visits to begin understanding nature from early on adopting a tree as part of their “Well-being Wednesday” and lessons including cooking and understanding where food comes from would use this.
A range of children will be involved from nursery up to year 6, so this will be a whole school project.