Green-fingered students help Littlehampton blossom

The school, in Fitzalan Road, has pledged to tend to a number of town’s newest saplings as part of the Littlehampton-wide Big Tree Project.

Young people from the academy’s own fledgling science club are expected to be put in charge of tending to around 400 trees from 10 different species as part of the initiative.

It is hoped that after a couple of years of tender loving care, the saplings will be mature enough to plant in some of Littlehampton’s parks and green open spaces.

Sara Hopkins, community liaison manager at the academy, has spearheaded the students’ participation in the scheme, organised by Arun Biodiversity Forum.

She said: “I just thought what a lovely idea this would be to get the children involved with.

“We have a brilliant courtyard in the middle of the science block which is perfect to grow the saplings.

“We’re hoping to get members from our small science club involved with the project.”

The Big Tree Project hopes to bring more than 1,300 new trees into Littlehampton.

It is part of a national campaign organised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to help brighten up town and city centre landscapes.

Dee Christensen, Arun’s senior community parks officer who is also a member of the biodiversity forum, said: “We’re so pleased that Littlehampton Academy could provide us with this nursery. It’s going to make all the difference.

“We have huge hopes that in the spring, when the weather is better, the children will be able to take a more active approach, identifying which species would be more suitable for different parts of the town.”

She said the students would also help plant the new trees with the next event taking place on January 19, at the Southfields Recreation Ground. For details, call 01903 737957.