Haverfordwest pupils get Tree Wise (From Western Telegraph)

Haverfordwest pupils get Tree Wise

3:00pm Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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Pupils at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, have been learning traditional wood construction techniques as part of a Tree Wise woodland project.

Pupils from years ten, 11 and 12 built a woodland workshop in the school’s nature garden, supported by Tir Coed, a woodland charity which uses trees and woodlands to help boost young people’s confidence and self esteem.

Pupils learned traditional wood construction techniques while building the workshop.

They also had the opportunity to maintain footpaths, make fences and plant hedgerows around the county.

The school’s learning coach Margaret Ridgeway, said: “This outdoor programme for our young people has really breathed new life into the school. Tree Wise gives the young people involved the chance to excel at more practical tasks and provides a positive channel for their energy.”

The pupils’ building work is accredited by the Open College Network (OCN), as part of the project. It is the third such accreditation the group has achieved through Tree Wise.

Tir Coed project officer, Becky Hulme said: “Tir Coed is really proud of the work that these very able young people have put into building this workshop, and the whole Tree Wise project. “Thanks to the continued support of school staff, the project has gone from strength to strength and Tir Coed hopes to be running a pilot for a new project, Branching Out/Egin with Sir Thomas Picton School in the next academic year.”

Headteacher Joan Bessant described the project as “fabulous” and said it had been fantastic for the pupils.

“It has been such a huge success,” she said.

“It has benefited them and the outcome benefits the whole school, because we now have an outdoor classroom which can be used across the whole curriculum. I am really proud of them,” she said.

The pupils also received a schools award from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for their countryside management work.