{"id":30482,"date":"2024-04-24T00:37:28","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T14:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=30482"},"modified":"2024-04-24T00:37:28","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T14:37:28","slug":"network-rail-partners-with-west-midlands-high-school-to-promote-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=30482","title":{"rendered":"Network Rail partners with West Midlands high school to promote biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Network Rail\u2019s<\/a> Lord Peter Hendy and Central Route Director Denise Wetton have joined staff and students from Woodrush Academy and The Tree Council<\/a> to plant new trees in the school\u2019s grounds.<\/p>\n

The event took place as part of a new collaborative partnership between Network Rail\u2019s Central route (which covers the West Midlands and Chiltern main line into London) and the local high school and Tree Council. The partnership aims to support local wildlife and encourage students to consider pursuing a career in rail \u2013 the country\u2019s greenest form of public transport.<\/p>\n

The Tree Council has been working with Woodrush Academy, which provides secondary education for students at Wythall. The High School draws students from North East Worcestershire, Solihull and Birmingham. Since 2023, as part of a broader partnership with local groups, businesses, and West Midlands Railway, Network Rail staff have volunteered their time to assist students in developing the school\u2019s grounds and introduce hundreds of new trees and plants, which will help to promote biodiversity and allow local wildlife to thrive.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hoped that Network Rail\u2019s ongoing partnership with Woodrush Academy, West Midlands Railway, and local railway volunteers known as the Friends of the Shakespeare Line will inspire students about the different roles available in the railway industry and provide a pathway for pupils to apply for the Network Rail apprenticeship scheme.<\/p>\n

Peter, Lord Hendy, chair of Network Rail, said: \u201cI\u2019m absolutely delighted to see our partnership with Woodrush Academy blossoming and the great work with The Tree Council, which is helping to transform the school\u2019s outdoor spaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunities and the environment are at the heart of our railway, so it\u2019s brilliant to see our collaboration with Woodrush, West Midlands Railway and local partners. We hope to help inspire pupils to learn about horticulture, and also about the varied and rewarding roles available on our railway; the country\u2019s greenest form of public transport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jay Barber, head teacher at Woodrush Academy, said: \u201cWe have been delighted to have forged such a strong collaborative partnership with Network Rail over this last couple of years. Woodrush is deeply committed to ensuring our students learn about our community and Network Rail has been the active ingredient to enhancing our curriculum for the young people we serve.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom developing local public spaces to learning about horticulture and sustainability, our relationship with Network Rail will truly leave a legacy on the lives and learning of our students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: \u201cThe railway is an important aspect of every community so the planting of hundreds of new trees and plants at Woodrush Academy shows how industry collaboration can go a long way to enhancing schools and local areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cPartnerships like this are also crucial for encouraging young people to consider a career in rail and I hope the collaboration enables students to gain some valuable insight about the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phil Paulo, head of major tree planting projects for The Tree Council, said: \u201cWe\u2019re really looking forward to providing ongoing support to the team and pupils at Woodrush High School following this year\u2019s initial planting project which was delivered with support from Network Rail and West Midlands Trains.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlanting delivered by students and volunteers from Network Rail, has helped to diversify and extend the canopy cover in the grounds through the creation of a new shelterbelt including species such as Hornbeam, Birch, Crab Apple and ornamental Dogwoods, enhancing both the biodiversity and amenity value of the grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Tree Council is also assisting the school to develop community tree growing with the creation of willow beds, which as well as helping to prevent water-logging, will provide a resource from which pupils can propagate their own trees while working towards achieving an accredited horticultural qualification.<\/p>\n

Students have started propagating apple trees while developing their skills, which will be grown in a new polytunnel. When ready, the apples will be given out at Wythall railway station as part of a \u2018Rail Roots\u2019 project which is piloting nationally at a number of stations this year.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Rail Roots\u2019 project provides a great way to engage members of the public with the main benefits of tree growing in their local areas, while also increasing biodiversity and canopy cover for local wildlife and creating greener, healthier spaces for the public to enjoy.<\/p>\n

This year, staff from Network Rail\u2019s Central route will continue working with Woodrush Academy, offering students local work experience placements, as well as CV writing and interview skills sessions.<\/p>\n

To find out more details about Network Rail\u2019s apprenticeship scheme visit https:\/\/www.networkrail.co.uk\/careers\/early-careers\/apprenticeships\/level-3-operations-apprenticeship\/<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Network Rail\u2019s Lord Peter Hendy and Central Route Director Denise Wetton have joined staff and students from Woodrush Academy and The Tree Council to plant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":30483,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[7,11],"class_list":["post-30482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rail-news","tag-transport","tag-usa"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t