Schools across the UK are transforming their grounds by planting traditional orchards in a bid to increase the numbers of these endangered habitats, as part of the new programme, Fruit-Full Schools.

Resources from the Fruit-Full Schools programme, which aims to support environmental sustainability, develop community engagement and demonstrate the benefits of locally grown produce, have been made freely available online for all primary and secondary schools across the UK.

The Fruit-Full Schools website will provide schools with the necessary information required to use their grounds to design, grow and maintain their own traditional orchards. This includes downloadable information such as step-by-step growing guides, fruity fact sheets, top tips, case studies and real-time learning from participating schools.

Fruit-Full Schools is a programme designed by national children’s charity Learning through Landscapes. The programme aims to stimulate learning about local fruit varieties and the biodiversity benefits of our endangered orchard habitats.

The programme, launched in 50 secondary schools this year, will enable young people to revive some of the long-forgotten local varieties of fruit within their school and neighbouring community.

Children in 50 schools have so far been involved in apple tasting sessions, orchard visits, local food discussions and have worked on activities related to food miles, climate change, harvesting, farming and the importance of local communities.

Pupils have researched their local heritage varieties and chosen which they would like to graft, plant, eat and cook while participating schools are also planning community events to celebrate Apple Day on 21 October.

Fruit-Full Schools is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food scheme, the City Bridge Trust, and by the Garfield Weston and John Spedan Lewis Foundations.

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