SCHOOLS are being offered a new chance to green-up their grounds and make outdoor learning fun with free trees.

More than a quarter of a million trees are up for grabs from the Woodland Trust, and schools can now apply for saplings which will be delivered ready to plant in March next year.

Pupils can plant native trees like rowan or crab apple for a copse or hedge, and grow a wild harvest, or a burst of year round colour.

The Woodland Trust’s Schools and Community Engagement Manager Karen Letten said: “We want to see trees becoming part of a teacher’s toolkit. And we would particularly encourage schools in urban areas and schools which haven’t planted before to apply.”

If space within grounds is in short supply, there’s help available for eligible schools, to find land to plant trees in local communities.

Funding for the Woodland Trust trees comes from Sainsbury’s, players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and Yorkshire Tea. And Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is supporting additional tree packs for state-funded primary schools in England.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “It is so important children are given the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, whether that is in the countryside, in their local community or at school.

“By working with the Woodland Trust to give free trees to schools we will help bring back nature into the daily lives of millions of children across England.”

Schools can apply by visiting the Woodland Trust website or searching for ‘school tree packs’ online. Visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees