Thornton Grove is a newly-named primary where two schools have amalgamated. The school playing field slopes down towards the Pevensey Levels, and the bottom corner, which is edged by a public footbath beyond its boundary, is too boggy for mowing. Dream For Trees selected marsh-loving tree species such as alder and willow and mapped an area to surround a raised deck classroom for forest school activities. The December 2025 planting at Thornton Grove Primary brought every child and teacher in the school, all 320 of them, into the field for a single day of community planting. Other volunteers joined, and we were supported by Protect Earth.
Pupils formed planting teams and dug, planted and heeled in 1,500 saplings. planted 18 species, including crab apple, oak and wild service trees. Volunteers from Protect Earth joined the school community to lend a muddy hand.
This first planting is part of a 6,000 tree programme that will ultimately surround the school’s outdoor classroom deck with a thriving native woodland, to be named The Grove.
