Students at a Weymouth school have transformed unused land into an outdoor learning space, earning national recognition for their environmental work.
Pupils at Wey Valley Academy have created a growing outdoor classroom featuring an orchard, wildlife habitat, allotment and wildflower meadow.
The project has now been recognised by The Tree Council through its Orchards for Schools programme, with students receiving the “Force for Nature” award.
The latest stage of the project saw eight new fruit trees planted, taking the orchard total to 14 trees, including a mature apple tree donated by the Mayor of Weymouth.
School staff say students have spent the past three years designing and developing the area through eco and sustainability groups, while also working with the Woodland Trust to plant more than 2,000 native trees and hedgerow plants.
The academy now hopes to expand the orchard further, launch a small produce-selling venture and achieve the Gold Green Tree Schools Award.
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