1000 trees planted at Highfield and Brookham Schools

The planting of 1000 trees started this week at Highfield and Brookham Schools. The planting is taking place along Highfield Lane and will be a native woodland mix including Oak, Crab Apple, Scots Pine, Beech, Hazel and Holly amongst other species. The planting of these trees continues on from the reinstatement of a historic hedge line within the field adjoining the School that was completed last year. It shows the Schools’ commitment to the stewardship of their glorious grounds and their environmental ambition laid out in their Estate Plan.

Highfield and Brookham Schools are part of the South Downs National Park and in March 2018 the Park’s Policy Committee endorsed their Whole Estate Plan. The plan covers the whole Highfield Estate of 517 acres and provides a detailed review of how they plan to continue to develop and improve in terms of their ecology and woodlands.

This range of planting will allow for larger trees to grow as well as a mix of lower level trees and shrubs to act as a woodland buffer. This biodiversity is great not just from an environmental point of view but also screens the school and their newly-built Astro. The trees have been supplied by Redleaf Nursery in Farnham and the planting is being assisted by Marston Forestry in Haslemere. The trees will not only improve the school environment but Liphook and Lynchmere’s as well.

Phillip Evitt, Headmaster at Highfield School said, “It will look fantastic in years to come and hopefully this will be seen as a positive improvement by the local community and our parents. We are very proud of our history, our place in the community, and our continuous work to improve our landscape.”

To find out more about Highfield and Brookham Schools and their whole estate plan visit highfieldandbrookham.co.uk.