Torphichen Primary School continues to grow as pupils planted the first seeds in their brand new apple orchard.

With Hadden nearing the completion of the £1 million improvement programme at the school, work took place to enhance the outdoor learning environment by planting an apple orchard.

As part of their Community Benefit partnership, Hadden worked alongside pupils and their families to plant 6 different species of apple trees to create an orchard which would provide a lasting memory for them.

The orchard was chosen as the Community Benefit project by Torphichen Primary School and their P.T.A. committee.  The orchard will provide a wealth of opportunities for the pupils to develop their Science and outdoor learning in relation to life cycles, inherited and non-inherited characteristics, classification, fertilisation, pollination and nutrition.

The apple trees chosen are all Scottish varieties, they are resistant to frost, encourage cross pollination and flower in different seasons. The varieties chosen are: Elisons Orange Pippin, Discovery, James Grieve, Worchester Perman, Sunset and Fiesta.

The construction project works consist of a new two classroom extension, a new integrated kitchen and dining facilities and new pupil toilets, which are key parts of the plan to help the school manage the expected rise in pupil numbers and support the Curriculum for Excellence.

Torphichen Primary School Principal Teacher, Louise Johnston added: “We’d like to thank Hadden Group for all their work in providing our students with their new apple orchard. We hope the orchard will provide a lasting memory for our students and will allow them to really enjoy their outdoor environment. We’re looking forward to the completion of the project and have to thank Hadden for all their hard work. I’d also like to thank our parents and carers for the support for the project so far and hope they enjoy and appreciate the orchard amongst our new facilities as much as our students and staff.”

Stephen Lynas, Business Development Director, Hadden Group added: “We’ve enjoyed working with the management team & staff at Torphichen Primary School to successfully deliver their new facilities to provide an enhanced teaching environment. We always like to add value and deliver community benefits to projects and are delighted to provide assistance with the planting of these fruit trees and the installation of the new Trim Track.”