An exciting initiative that has taken root at Cockwood School, quite literally! The pupils have embarked on a wonderful journey of learning and environmental stewardship, venturing beyond the classroom walls to make a lasting impact on our local landscape.
Recently, the school was fortunate to receive a generous donation of 30 trees from the Woodland Trust. This presented the children with a marvellous opportunity to create a small copse on the edge of Cockwood Village Green, nestled in the corner where Cockwood Bridge meets the A379. The pupils, armed with enthusiasm and spades, have been busy planting a delightful mix of Silver Birch, Rowan, and Cherry saplings.
This hands-on experience has been more than just a gardening exercise. Research commissioned by the Woodland Trust has shown that primary-age children who participate in tree planting feel a sense of pride in ‘doing their bit’ for the environment. Moreover, they view it as a significant experience, one that creates a lasting legacy within their community.
The school community is immensely grateful to the Woodland Trust for this opportunity. Their commitment to distributing over a million saplings each year is truly commendable. This initiative is made possible through the generous funding of partners including Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Bank, OVO Energy, DFS Furniture, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Joules, Bank of Scotland, and Sofology.
This project has been about more than just planting trees; it’s about growing connections. Cockwood School has always been at the heart of the village, and this joint endeavour with the Village Green Committee and Cofton Holidays has helped to forge even stronger relationships within our community. It’s a beautiful example of how we can work together to enhance our shared spaces and create meaningful experiences for the pupils.
