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500 trees planted as part of school environment project

A school has planted 500 trees, one for each pupil, to make the area greener.

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Nick Wale from Forest Schools Birmingham and pupils Isaac Westbury aged six, Ruby Kafeel aged six and Jessica Wang aged six

School children from Blackheath Primary School were joined by the team from Forest Schools Birmingham on Friday to help with planting.

Charity,Trees for Cities provided the school, in Britannia Road, Blackheath, with the trees in a bid to make urban spaces greener.

Nick Wale, director of Forest Schools Birmingham, said: "We have a passion for getting inner city kids out in the environment and this is massively educational for the children.

"It's amazing what they already know. Children as young as year one know about climate change, the flooding we've had recently and the fires in Australia they have an amazing knowledge.

"We work to get people outside and tackle obesity and help people mental health issues, projects like this are really important."

Ruth Wilson and pupils Ruby Kafeel aged six Isaac Westbury aged six Jessica Wang aged six

Youngsters brought in their wellies to school and in groups planted the saplings around the onsite forest school.

An assembly was also held to educate them on the benefits of tree planting.

Headteacher Matthew Hytch said: "We are always looking for ways to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

"The children have worked together which reinforces the importance of teamwork and an understanding of the importance of green spaces and protecting the environment.

"It also shows them how trees help other wildlife and animals and they know it is important to preserve these things for future generation."