MONEY doesn’t grow on trees, but they could win green-fingered pupils from Pinewood School in Shrivenham a cash prize of up to £1,000.

The school’s community woodland has caught the eye of judges from the Royal Forestry Society who have shortlisted the 10.3 hectare area for the Excellence in Forestry Schools Award.

Last year pupils planted more than 3,000 trees with the help of nearby residents. The planting stage included every Pinewood pupil, from three to 13, who will see the woodland grow as they progress through school.

Now the woodland acts as an outdoor classroom, giving youngsters the chance to investigate local wildlife and inspiring their lessons. Ruth Hall, director of education at Pinewood, said the woodland provided a unique learning opportunity. She said: “The woodland is already providing a habitat for an amazing diversity of wildlife.

“With that comes a deepening understanding of how we all have a responsibility to care for our global world, it’s all very exciting.”

Pinewood is only one of two schools in Wiltshire to have been shortlisted, alongside The John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge. Both schools will receive a visit from judges in May.

Debbie Cotton, RFS Education Officer, said she was impressed by the quality of teaching at the shortlisted schools.

“What was most impressive this year was the depth of knowledge being covered,” she said.

“Many of the schools were also liaising widely and regularly with their community, which added real strength to their projects.”

The school is now looking at ways to develop the woodland in the future, including the use of a bio mass fuel system using wood pellets and introducing educational markers to provide information on woodland wildlife.