Ashley Hill Primary School is the first school in the island to be given a platinum award by the Woodland Trust UK.

It received the platinum Green Tree Schools Award for getting involved in woodland activities as part of its outdoor learning and Forest School sessions.

In the last five years the pupils at the Onchan school have learnt about what lives in the wood through activities. They have also planted trees and looked at how they can save them through recycling paper.

Outdoor learning is said to be a valuable part of the curriculum at Ashley Hill, which has a small piece of woodland on the school site and a log cabin as an outdoor classroom.

It is the first island school to achieve its bronze, silver, gold and now platinum award as part of the Woodland Trust’s initiative.

Peter Lewis, head teacher, said: ’We are delighted to receive this prestigious award, which demonstrates the value we place on learning in the outdoors.

’We feel fortunate to have beautiful woodland space on our doorstep and are continuing to invest time and resources in order to maximise the learning potential but also demonstrate to children that we need to take great care of our outdoor environment.

’I would like to personally thank and congratulate all the staff for providing such exciting and inspiring learning opportunities in the woodland space for all the young people at Ashley Hill.

’Particular thanks to Debbie Carcas, who has been instrumental in leading this exciting initiative and coming up with wonderful ideas to promote the outdoors.’

The Woodland Trust’s Green Tree Schools initiative has seen more than 12,000 schools sign up, including several on the island since it was launched in 2008.

This initiative offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.

Karen Letten, 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.

’As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and at gold an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges this environmental accolade.

’Only a handful of schools have moved on to achieve platinum, making this a huge accomplishment for the school.’

The Green Tree Schools Award is free to take part in and the Woodland Trust also offers free packs of trees to schools.

Find out how more atwoodlandtrust.org.uk/schools