Doncaster school creates wildlife woodland

Wildlife is to be brought back to Wheatley by green-conscious pupils at a Doncaster school.
Headteacher Jenni Philbin, Kingfisher PrimaryHeadteacher Jenni Philbin, Kingfisher Primary
Headteacher Jenni Philbin, Kingfisher Primary

A massive tree-planting exercise next month will see

the entire Kingfisher Primary school, involving 400 plus pupils, their teachers, parents and governors, out doing their bit to create a new wildlife habitat.

Assistant headteacher Jenni Philbin explained: “Our school parliament team have put their heads together to arrange a tree planting session with all pupils from nursery to Year 6. We will all be working together to transform our wide and wonderful, but blank outdoor space into the perfect place for wildlife to make their habitat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re aiming to bring wildlife to Wheatley and enable children to have the opportunity to explore an exciting, varied, exciting natural environment as part of the curriculum.’

The trees, all native broadleaved species, will become a young woodland area in as little as 10 years. They were given to the school by the Woodland Trust, as part of its free tree pack scheme by which trees are supplied to schools that want to improve their local environment.

John Tucker, Woodland Trust Director of Woodland Creation, added: “Planting trees is a fantastic way of bringing together groups of people, particularly children, who either want to improve their local environment, learn more about wildlife or create a lasting memorial for those who have made a mark on their community.”

The UK has just 13 per cent woodland cover compared to a European average of 44 per cent, and the trees we have are under increasing threat from diseases and development, he added.

“By teaming up with schools like Kingfisher the Trust hopes to double our native woodland cover and enrich our landscape for generations to come.”