A Norwich School has been given a gold award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities including tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.

Larkman Primary School, on Clarkson Road, won the award as part of the The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen over 3,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008 and encourages bringing the great outdoors into the classroom.

The school was awarded points for activities which included the planting of new trees in its grounds, as well as recycling Christmas cards, visiting woods, reducing their carbon emissions and joining in various other Woodland Trust activities.

Karen Letten, schools' development officer 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 nature. 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, silver and finally, an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they've achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.'

Craig Deal, pastoral support worker at the school, said; 'We take one group out every week to local woodland for Forest Schools. Not only have they learnt about life in and around woodlands, but it's been great for their self-esteem and confidence too.'

To find out how a school can get involved go to www.naturedetectives.org.uk/award.