WELLINGTON Primary School has been awarded a gold award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities including tree planting, visiting a local woodland, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.

The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen over 7,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008 offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.

Schools win awards for participating in green activities, which include tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. Wellington Primary has planted new trees and hedge lines in their school grounds, visited local woods, reduced their carbon emissions and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.

Stuart Moore, Badger Class teacher from school said, "The children love the activities and have been enthusiastically working towards the award for several years. It's definitely improved our school environment for both people and wildlife."

Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager, added: "The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child's imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees. The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities. As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and finally an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they've achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award."

The Woodland Trust's vision is a UK rich in woods and trees, enjoyed by everyone. The charity is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, and protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.

The Green Tree Award is free for schools to take part in, and during 2016 the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools. Find out how your school can get involved at woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools