Local schools benefit from free fruit trees

Local schools including Kenn C of E Primary School and Kenton Primary School have benefitted from a free fruit tree planting programme offered across Devon, Dorset and South-West Somerset by environmental education company Little Green Change.

Schools were able to choose up to four apple, pear, plum and/or cherry trees each for their grounds.

Children from both schools helped to plant the trees, as well as daffodils, and learnt about the many benefits of these to important pollinators like bees, other wildlife like birds, and to human health through the fruit the trees produce and improved air quality. 

This activity was part of Little Green Change's Biodiversity in Schools Project, which is funded by The Nineveh Charitable Trust and The Norman Family Trust. The non-profit organisation has worked with 2,688 children and 37 schools since 2024 through this project, planting 5,090 half-standard trees and bulbs, as well as introducing new wildlife habitats such as insect hotels and bird nesting boxes.

Clare Matheson, Founder and Director of Little Green Change, commented; "It's been wonderful to work with so many enthusiastic children and schools through our Biodiversity in Schools project. Being able to help the children put their learning into action is a real privilege, and enables us to deliver tangible biodiversity improvements across a wide area."

Rachel Garner, Class 1 Teacher at Kenn C of E Primary School said: “Thanks so much for coming into school... the children loved it."

Gemma Pattison, Head of School, Kenton Primary School said: "Thank you for the fantastic day yesterday, the children took real pride in developing their outdoor area and learnt lots along the way.”

Little Green Change will be delivering their free Autumn bulb planting activities in September and October 2025.

State-funded schools that are interested in taking part should contact Little Green Change directly: info@littlegreenchange.com