Pupils at Peareswood Primary School in Slade Green planted 40 trees during National Tree Week (25 November to 3 December) as part of the School Superzones scheme.

Pupils were joined by the Mayor of the London Borough of Bexley Councillor Ahmet Dourmoush, Councillor Melvin Seymour - Cabinet Member for Adults' Services & Health, Councillor Anna Day, family members, teaching staff and the school Parents Teacher Association.

The School Superzones scheme is an exciting new project set around schools, designed to protect children’s health and encourage healthy behaviours.

Bexley has been awarded £90,000 by the Greater London Authority to deliver local Superzones. Peareswood Primary School has been selected as one of the schools under this scheme.

Pupils really enjoyed making their school grounds greener which will not only reduce noise pollution but will encourage biodiversity in the area and improve air quality. This is only the start of the School Superzones project with more to come in 2024.

Trees planted included an oak tree planted by the Mayor of Bexley at the front of the school and silver birch and hawthorn trees which were planted along the side of the school that backs on to the busy Northend Road.

All trees were donated by the Woodland Trust as part of their campaign to get more trees in schools.

Councillor Melvin Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, said:

As part of the Council’s commitment to address Climate Change, this initiative is only the start of making the community around schools safer, greener and healthier."

The trees will be there for years to come which will be enjoyed by future generations in Bexley. Participants had a wonderful time planting trees within the school grounds, it was lovely to see the children being incredibly excited to watch the trees grow."

Visit the School Superzones to find out more about this initiative.