A SECONDARY school in Flintshire has been awarded with a gold award by the Woodland Trust for their part in completing some wonderful eco-friendly work in the environment.

Argoed High School in Mynydd Isa has won The Green Tree Schools Award for its part in getting involved in green activities such as tree planting, visiting local woodland, reducing carbon emissions, and recycling.

Karen Letten, the schools and communities engagement manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees.

“The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities.

“As they reach milestones within the project, they will receive bronze and silver certificates and then an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.

“I hope Argoed High School will now consider going for our next accolade, the prestigious platinum award.”

Mr Paul Smith, Headteacher at Argoed High School, added: “We are extremely proud of our pupils.

“Their hard work and dedication has resulted in them receiving the Woodland Trust Gold Award and they will surely now be aiming for the Platinum award in the future.

Since it was launched in 2008, more than 12,000 schools around the UK have signed up to The Green Tree Schools initiative in a scheme which brings the great outdoors into the classroom.

The Green Tree Schools Award is free for schools to take part in, and the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools for them to plant.

The Woodland Trust charity is seeking help from schools and communities alike in helping to protect and restore ancient woodland in the UK so it can be cherished by future generations.