Planting hundreds of saplings to help wildlife
Our rewilding initiative got off to a successful start when staff, parents and student volunteers joined forces to plant more than 400 saplings in the school grounds.
Springwood’s ‘Big Dig’ saw the volunteers plant a mix of hazel, blackthorn, privet, holly and dogwood, all donated by the Woodland Trust, along a section of our boundary fence line.
The sapling planters were provided with supporting bamboo sticks and protective sheaths for the young plants. A few larger trees, including oak and silver birch, were also planted.
Head of the school’s Environment Society, Agnieszka Munns, who promoted and
organised the event, said: "The Big Dig involved Year 7 students with their parents, alongside teachers from our school.
“Everyone enjoyed the exceptionally mild weather as they planted a new hedgerow, which should provide nesting sites for birds, attract pollinators and other insects to the blooming flowers, as well as create a corridor and shelter for all wildlife.
“Some of our excited Year 7 pupils will see the growing hedge for the next five to seven years they will be spending here, and there should be a noticeable difference in the school grounds as a result of this rewilding scheme.”
She continued: “As they worked, some of the younger volunteers stated how they were looking forward to arriving at school at the start of Year 7 and seeing how their efforts had grown.
“Several of the adults who were present said that it felt good to start a project that should continue to grow alongside these young planters.”
Our Headteacher, Andy Johnson, led the way by planting his share of the saplings.
He said: “We have been successfully addressing how to deal with littering, here and around the school, and we are keen to do as much as we can for our precious environment.
“Respect for our natural world seems to be an especially important lesson for everyone to consider just now.”
Our environmental efforts were partly inspired by a visit earlier in the year from Dominic Buscall, Project Manager at Wild Ken Hill, which took place as part of a Futures Lecture initiative aimed at our Sixth Formers.
Mrs Munns added: “It is fantastic what we have been able to achieve with the realisation of a project that was first conceived pre-Covid.
“It is great that we have the ability to make a small but significant difference.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has helped to make this happen. There are more plans ahead!”
More photos can be found here.