Forward-thinking eco-students at Samuel Whitbread Academy plant trees to help environment

The ambitious target had been set at the start of the year by Nick Martin, principal of the Clifton and Shefford upper school, which is part of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust.

In December a group of more than 40 pupils and staff travelled to Southill Park - the estate owned by Charles Whitbread - to plant the final 950 trees and complete the school’s ‘eco-forest’.

Science technician Dr Emma Dunham said the idea first grew after the formation of the school’s eco-committee, by head of biology Joanne Ambrose and teacher Tony Edwards, to raise awareness of the environment among students and the community.

Dr Dunham, a member of the committee, said: “The project started to take shape and, in January, Mr Martin took it one step further and challenged us to plant 2020 trees in 2020 - which seemed an insurmountable number at the time.

“Our challenge began by fundraising for the project. Parents and staff generously donated, while local businesses also sponsored us and we had over 1,000 trees given to us by the Woodland Trust and the Tree Appeal.

“The next hurdle was then to find places for the trees to be planted. We found sites all over the area, including Ampthill Park, the Forest of Marston Vale, local farms, and even in the grounds of Samuel Whitbread and other nearby schools.”

Dr Dunham revealed that lockdown had threatened to derail the challenge and that the committee faced a race against time after the school re-opened in September.

She added: “Our final planting day at Southill went very smoothly. The 40 students we took were very enthusiastic and the 950 trees we planted actually took us to a grand total of 2057.”

Mr Martin said: “The eco-committee rose to the challenge and smashed the target, which is even more commendable given how long we were in lockdown and the Covid-related restrictions we have faced in the last few months.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the project, from our sponsors who initially supported our vision to create this eco-forest to all the landowners for working with us and allowing us the space to plant the trees, especially Charles Whitbread, who has supported the group from day one.”