BSA revisits the first tree planted 10 years ago at Steyning Grammar School in West Sussex in celebration of the ever-expanding orchard scheme.
Steyning Grammar School, a state boarding school in West Sussex, is home to the very first tree planted as part of the BSA Boarding Orchard. The fruit tree, an Egremont Russet apple variety, was planted by Robin Fletcher, CEO, BSA Group in September 2014 and sits proudly in the school grounds with not one, but two plaques noting its BSA Boarding Orchard fame.
In celebration of the Boarding Orchard’s tenth birthday, David Walker, BSA Director, visited the tree at Steyning Grammar School on Tuesday September 24, 2024 followed by a fantastic tour of the school’s boarding facilities accompanied by Aidan Timmons, Head of School, Tom Leighton, Director of Boarding and Sally Randall, Deputy Director of Boarding.
David Walker said: “It was brilliant to see the tree so well looked after at Steyning. How apt, that the kitchen will pick the cooking apples from the tree to feed hungry boarders!”
“Boarding provision at Steyning is in excellent order and run by a fantastic, dedicated team.”
The scheme, which is part of the BSA Active engagement programme, has grown steadily over ten years and is probably the world’s largest orchard by distance. Plantings now span the length of the UK, including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with trees popping up at our international member schools in locations as far as Texas and South Carolina in the US, India and Malaysia.
As part of the ten-year anniversary celebrations, BSA is calling on members who have joined the scheme over the years to share a photo to show how the orchard has grown and matured over time. The aim is to create a visual representation of the ever-expanding orchard and encourage even more tree plantings.
If your school is interested in helping us grow the Boarding Orchard even further, please visit the website or get in touch via bsa@boarding.org.uk.
Categories: Sector News
