Laurel bashing in Belmont Wood

On Monday, Year 5 pupils spent the day in Belmont Woods, carrying out volunteer work with the Forestry Commission as part of their QE Award.

The boys learnt all about forest conservation and woodland management, identified some of the trees in the woods and then actively managed some of the woodlands by cutting (hacking!) down laurel bushes. Laurel is a non-native and highly invasive and, if not managed properly, takes over huge areas of woodland, preventing other plants and trees from growing. Suffice to say the area of Belmont Woods that we were working in is laurel free for the foreseeable future!

The boys worked really hard in their management of the wood and the Forestry Commission wardens were amazed at how much they cleared. They were also very impressed with the boy’s engagement and interest in how the wood is managed.

The QE Award is our own exclusive junior version of the highly popular Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. It is carefully designed for boys in Years 5 and 6 of the Junior School, as well as for younger Senior School years. The scheme introduces new skills and experiences outside the boys’ usual ‘comfort zones’, building confidence and resilience, encouraging them to feel good about themselves.