Planting Roots For the Future: New Inn Primary

School grounds with blue and green plant containers.

A whole-school effort to boost biodiversity, strengthen community links, and bring learning to life outdoors.

What did you do and how did you involve the whole school?

We were fortunate to receive an orchard pack from Keep Wales Tidy, which enabled us to plant a range of heritage fruit trees with their support. The project brought together students from multiple year groups, staff, and parents.

Our Eco-Committee created and shared information packs with classes and stakeholders to help everyone learn about tree care, biodiversity, and the environmental benefits of orchards.

How and why did you decide on this target?

Our Eco-Schools environmental review highlighted that our school’s biodiversity needed improvement. It revealed a lack of plant life and wildlife habitats, which strengthened our case for applying for the orchard pack. Our goal was not only to enhance the natural environment for local wildlife, but also to create meaningful learning opportunities for pupils to engage with nature and develop their understanding of sustainability.

We explored the benefits of orchards and found that they provide long-term environmental advantages, including improved air quality, local food production, and—most importantly, increased biodiversity.

How has the project impacted on your school and your community?

The project gave our learners the chance to get hands-on and connect with our beautiful school grounds. It also enabled us to work alongside members of the wider community to promote sustainable practices. The orchards have now become an important part of our teaching approach, and we plan to use them to enrich learning across science, geography, and health education by providing meaningful, real-world contexts.

The project has also strengthened parental involvement, with many parents volunteering their time to help care for the plants.

How did you celebrate success and what are your next steps?

We celebrated the planting with a school-wide event, inviting classes, staff, and parents to see the new orchard and learn more about the project. The Eco Committee was recognised for its hard work, and we shared the achievements through our newsletters.

Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on maintaining the trees and monitoring their contribution to improving biodiversity.