Greater Depth Learning Opportunities

At Prestwood Infant and Junior School we recognise that our children have talents in specific areas of the curriculum. We are working hard to provide a variety of events to give children an opportunity to showcase these talents. This section will not only display these achievements but also provide additional activities and challenges for children to really grow their brains.

National Tree Week 2020

What is National Tree Week?

National Tree Week is the UK’s biggest annual tree celebration.

It was originally called Plant A Tree in ‘73, and started in (you guessed it!) 1973 in response to Dutch Elm Disease - a tree disease that stops them from getting water properly. It’s all about getting lots of communities to do more to help their local environment by planting as many trees as they can. 

How did National Tree Week start?

In 1973, there was a big problem with a disease called Dutch elm disease, which was killing lots of elm trees around the UK. In response, a campaign was started by Sydney Chapman and Peter Walker, two members of parliament who thought something needed to be done. It was originally a year-long campaign called “Plant a Tree in ‘73” which encouraged people in the UK to plant as many trees as they could across the year.

It went so well that the next year ‘The Tree Council’ group was born to keep encouraging people to plant trees. Except now, instead of working over a whole year, we have National Tree Week every year at the end of November.

It starts in November because this is when the tree planting season starts, it’s best for them to be planted as it’s starting to get cold. Even though the event only lasts for one week, tree planting season lasts right up until March.

Why are trees important? 

Trees are a very important part of our ecosystem. They take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and put out oxygen. They help keep our air clean which is vital to keep climate change under control. Nutrients in the soil come from trees, which helps lots of other plants grow.

Hundreds of kinds of wildlife, like birds, bugs, and squirrels as well as other kinds of plants all live in or on trees. Without them, countless animals would lose their homes or sources of food.

Plus, trees help protect us from extreme weather. Their long roots and canopy of leaves help prevent flooding and stop soil eroding. Big leaves provide lots of shade when it's very hot and provide shelter when it's very cold, so local temperatures are less extreme. Oh, and we mustn't forget - they look beautiful doing it! 

To celebrate this important week you could - 

• Do some research into what the most common trees in our area are.
• Create a fact file about a tree or certain type of tree (Deciduous or Evergreen).
• Or if you want a real challenge you would write a letter to the local council asking them what is going on locally, how many trees were planted in the area last year and how many do they aim to plant this year? 

I would love to see any of the work that do so please email a copy to t.lacey@pvsf.org.uk - go on grow those brains!