Pupils from The Study School in New Malden planted free trees from the Woodland Trust with the Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Mike Head to commemorate the end of the World War 1.
The school successfully applied for a copse pack of 30 silver birch, rowan and wild cherry trees from the Trust after hearing about the scheme from a TV advert. They planted the trees in Green Lane Recreational Park, New Malden.
Deputy Head Ciarán Mc Auley said: “The 
students get a sense of purpose, a sense of ownership, they are doing something for themselves, their school, their local community and they really enjoy that. We decided to plant the trees in Green Lane as a memorial to those who died in World War 1 and we were lucky to have Cllr Ken Smith who is also Chairman of Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion, to talk to the children about the significance of World War 1 and the work the British legion does to support veterans. “
Woodland Trust commissioned research shows that primary age children who plant trees felt that they were ‘doing their bit’ to help the environment and remember it as a significant experience. Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is supporting the Trust to deliver 400,000 trees for state-funded primary schools in England over four years.
Over the same period , Sainsbury’s, IKEA FAMILY, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Yorkshire Tea are funding 1.8 million trees free to schools and education institutions in the UK as part of their ongoing partnerships with the Woodland Trust.
Schools can apply by visiting the Woodland Trust website or searching for ‘school tree packs’ online. Trees are delivered twice a year, in March and November. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees
