Seed to Tree

The Seed to Tree programme is a long-running scheme which gives our pupils hands-on experience of the woods.

All the school class names have tree connections. Acorn, Oak, Ash, Lime, Horse Chestnut, Willow and Elder.

Throughout their time at the school, from Reception to Year 6, the children are involved in the life of the wood and are also given insight into the history of Lawshall’s unique connection with people who live in the rainforest in Papua New Guinea (PNG). 

The very first tree was planted in the school grounds by William Takaku, from PNG, in 1993.

The school tree nursery has been established for many years and is used for growing trees and shrubs which are transferred to Golden Wood.

For the past two years the children have been using the trees they have grown to plant the hedgerow along the north-west boundary of the upper wood, near The Foundry. The scheme has 8 stages:

Step 0 : Nature Walk (EYFS) This activity involves a guided nature walk through Golden Wood, during which the children will see Mathew’s yew tree and sing a song round it, look at the way the woodland is managed, explore and play in the maze. This is their first introduction to Forest for our Children.

Step 1: Sowing Seeds (Year 1, Autumn) This activity involves storytelling, a guided nature walk through Frithy Wood, during which the children will collect acorns and then plant them in the school tree nursery at the back of the field. Here, we introduce the idea that every child who comes to All Saints’ plants a seed so that they can all leave something in the village when they leave the school.

Step 2: Destination Woodland (Year 4, Autumn) This activity involves storytelling; activities in Frithy Wood, along with a session tending the saplings in the tree nursery at school in which the children planted their acorns whey they were in Year 1. Can they remember when they planted the seeds. We encourage them to make links between how they have grown and how the saplings have also grown and changed.

Step 3: The Global Connection (Year 3, Spring) Having planted acorns in Year 1 and mulched them in Year 2; the aim of Year 3’s involvement is to teach the children about their own personal links with the rainforest in Papua New Guinea via William Takaku, who planted the horse chestnut tree on the school field to begin Forest for our Children, and visits by Mathew Yafei and Lucas Kau; as well as Global Kinship in general.

The morning will begin with a workshop presentation in the school hall based around the rainforest. After this the children will walk to Golden Wood to visit the tree Mathew planted for us in 2000 and to see where they will plant their oak trees in November when they are in Year 4.

Step 4: Minding and Mulching (Year 2, Summer) The children will dig up the saplings which have grown from acorns planted in the tree nursery in Year 1 and walk up to Golden Wood to plant them out. They will say blessings for the saplings they plant so that they grow big and strong

Step 5: Tree Rescue (Year 4, Summer) This activity will involve a walk up to Golden Wood to check on their trees which they planted there in December.  They will weed around the trees and mulch as necessary. Links to looking after things as they grow – providing nurture, care and attention so that they thrive.

Step 6: Osier Coppicing (Year 5, Winter) Revisit trees that previous pupils have planted. How can we now help them to grow and thrive to be strong and resilient? Carry out woodland management activity of coppicing. Think about sustainability and the impact on the environment.

Step 7: Woodland Management (Year 6, Winter) Carry out woodland tasks to maintain and look after the woodland – being caretakers for the community woodland. Think about their role in developing the woodland for children and families.