A SCHOOL in Kidderminster has been given a coveted environmental award for the green activities it incorporates in its curriculum.

Birchen Coppice Primary School has been handed a gold award by the Woodland Trust, through the ‘Green Tree Schools initiative.

Under the scheme, schools are rewarded for taking part in green initiatives such as tree planting, visiting woodland, recycling and reducing carbon emissions.

Birchen Coppice Primary School has planted new trees in their school grounds, visited local woods, reduced their carbon emissions and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.

Jason Cortis, Community Activities Coordinator from the school, said: "As a school we have worked hard to get the award and are very proud to have received Gold.

“It’s great that incentives like this are available to allow the school to work together as one and develop the children’s appreciation of the natural world”

Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager, added: “The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees.

“The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities.

“As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and finally an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.”