A TEESSIDE primary school is celebrating after receiving national recognition for its commitment to nature and protecting the environment.

Rosebrook Primary School in Stockton-on-Tees is one of only 18 primary schools in the country to achieve ‘Young Tree Champion National Beacon School Status’ from The Tree Council for its ‘Rooted in Nature’ project.

The Tree Council is a national body that brings everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and the planet’s future.

Lois Huntington, who has led on the initiative at Rosebrook Primary School, said: “We are delighted to receive the award which reflects the school’s commitment to trees and the environment.

“Our children have told us that connecting with trees and nature is the biggest single factor that helps their physical and mental well-being.

“Across the school we have a wide range of projects where the focus is on trees and nature - many of which involve outdoor learning – which link to the curriculum.”

Projects include: Creating a Tree Trail which has involved children labelling trees; planting fruit trees so that children can monitor their progress; forest bathing – which includes children sitting under their chosen tree to use their senses; tree days – which involves a tree expert talking to children; and developing public speaking skills on the theme of trees.

In a letter to the school, The Tree Council, said: “A National Beacon School is a school that has been able to demonstrate that the project activities set out in your application for connecting, learning, caring, and sharing the power of trees and nature have been achieved.

“The world is facing an environmental crisis, threatening everyone’s future, especially young people and children, who will be most affected. National Beacon Schools are given the support, resources, training and unique opportunities to help enable their teachers and pupils to maximise the impact of their school project in a positive and effective way.”

Leanne Todd, headteacher of Rosebrook Primary School, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work.

“Being a Beacon School will enable us to further build on our outdoor learning and will give us the opportunity to take part in research projects involving nature. We will also be looking to see how we can encourage other schools and the local community to consider how they can connect more with nature.

“We have also learned recently that we have been successful in our application to the 'Learning Through Landscapes' nature programme which means we will receive some equipment to use in observing wildlife and further training for staff in taking the curriculum outdoors which is also great news for the school.”

Following the achievement, the school has decided to name all its classes after trees when pupils return in September after the summer holidays.

Rosebrook is one of eight primary schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust. The others are Barnard Grove, Brougham, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn in Stockton-on-Tees and Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough.

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