Ashley Hill School has become the first school in the island to be presented with a gold award from The Woodland Trust.

The UK conservation charity has recognised the primary school’s environmental efforts as a participant of the Green Tree Schools initiative.

Ashley Hill, in Onchan, has worked its way through a bronze, silver and now a gold level by carrying out activities such as planting new trees on school grounds and at Conrhenny Plantation.

It has also taken part in ’national tree dressing week’, a whole school outdoor picnic, collected old Christmas card for recycling and joined other Woodland Trust activities within the school’s wooded area, glens and other woodland places in the island.

Head teacher Peter Lewissaid: ’We are delighted to achieve the Gold Award and are looking forward to going for the prestigious platinum award.

’We are very lucky at Ashley Hill to have such a wonderful outdoor environment, which we do our very best to use for as many learning opportunities as possible.

’Receiving the Gold Award is testament to the hard work of the staff, who plan such creative lessons using the outdoors, and the children, who continue to develop a healthy respect for the world around them.’

Karen Letten, the Woodland Trust schools and communities engagement manager, said: ’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.

’I hope Ashley Hill will now consider going for our next accolade, the prestigious platinum award.’

The school is committed to using the outdoors throughout its curriculum from reception to year six (ages 10 to 11).

Its Woodland School allows children to develop confidence and independence, assess and manage risk, work together in groups, learn about nature and how to look after it.

Debbie Carcas, a teacher who teaches throughout the school year groups, added: ’We are thankful to our caretaker, cleaners and parents who never complain about the mud!’

The Green Tree Schools initiative encourages schools to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom. It began in 2008 and has more than 12,000 schools signed up in the UK. There are six registered schools in the island.