Leading Cheshire housebuilder Barratt Homes has donated a collection of apple trees to Pikemere School to help the school achieve its aim of earning a wildlife-friendly status award.
Apple trees are the ideal addition to any green area, and not just because of the delicious fruit they bear. According to SummerWinds Nursery, the trees will also offer a habitat to birds, squirrels and insects, a great pollination source for bees and butterflies whilst helping to decrease a carbon footprint.
Students at the school in Alsager were delighted to receive the donation, as it will help to assist wildlife in the area and will give the pupils an opportunity to observe and learn about the environment and wildlife from the safety of the schoolgrounds.
Victoria Beddow, Teacher at Pikemere School, said: “Pikemere School has been thrilled to work with Barratt Homes this year. After the hedgehog donation earlier in the year we were discussing our wildlife and environmental ambitions for the school, and they were keen to support us further in our quest.
“The donation of seven different varieties of apple trees have been very exciting for the pupils. They have enjoyed planting them and learning all about how to care for them, as well as all the animals they will help over the seasons. We have used the trees as a source of inspiration in various areas of the curriculum.
“We have sketched them as part of an art topic and used them in our science lessons, too. It has been a pleasure working with Barratt Homes and we enjoyed a great afternoon when Martyn from Emberton Grange came to meet the pupils and see the orchard. We look forward to embarking on further environmental projects with Barratt Homes next year.”
Pupils at Pikemere School are dedicated to ensuring the apple trees in their orchard and the wildflowers that surround them thrive, with constant care, love and attention..
The donation of apple trees comes after the housebuilder had also donated a hedgehog home to school earlier in the year, which also aided the school’s push to become more environmentally friendly.
Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “Having worked with Pikemere School earlier this year, we are delighted to once again lend a helping hand to both the school and the local wildlife in Alsager.
“Hopefully the new apple orchard will help protect the local wildlife from the harsh winter weather and offer a nutritional treat for the children in the future.
“We encourage everyone to do their part in their own homes to preserve and boost the environment with wildlife-friendly features.”
Barratt Homes had been building close to Pikemere School at its Emberton Grange development in Alsager, which has now sold out.
