COASTLANDS CP School in St Ishmaels has been awarded a prestigious platinum award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities.

In the last five years, the school has planted more than 100 trees and hedge plants in its grounds, and set up a nature trail including hedgerows, meadow flower areas, a willow house and tunnel and a school wildlife pond.

Students have also visited a local woodland and worked to reduce carbon emissions.

“We run a Nature Club on Friday afternoons for Class 1, they like hunting for bugs and pond dipping for creatures, it is lots of fun,” said Sam Burton, year 6 pupil.

This spring, children also worked with the local community to create an action plan to improve a small wooded area near the school called 'Sheila's Peace'.

The children created art work to make new signs for the woods and then worked with Hayley Barrett, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Ranger, and community volunteers to create a new log sitting circle.

The area also doubles a great place to do classwork when the weather is fine, and a new design technology lesson to 'build dens' is planned.

“The children really benefit from working outdoors," said teacher Mrs Davies.

"The woods are only five minutes from the school and is a fantastic resource, with the new sitting circle we can now use the area regularly to complete lots of different classwork."

The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen more than 7,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008 offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.

Schools win awards for participating in green activities, both in and out of the classroom.

Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools communications manager, said only a handful of schools have achieved the platinum award, making it a 'huge accomplishment for the school.

“The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees," she added.

The Woodland Trust is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, as well as protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.

The Green Tree Schools Award is free to take part in and during 2015 the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools. Find out how your school can get involved at woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools.