DURHAM
SCHOOL
Independent Day & Boarding School for girls and boys aged 3 to 18 years. Founded 1414.
PRESS RELEASE … PRESS RELEASE … PRESS RELEASE … PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: 7 September 2015
The Boarding Orchard
A leading Independent Boarding School in the North East is helping to create the largest orchard, by distance, in the
UK after planting a “tree of knowledge” in its grounds. Durham School’s new Head of School, Kirstie Kirkley (Year 13)
performed her first official duty in helping to plant an apple tree in the small growing orchard of English Discovery
apple trees in the beautiful grounds of the School.
The tree was planted at Durham School on Monday 7 September 2015, with help from Robin Fletcher, National
Director of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), Mr Kieran McLaughlin, Headmaster of Durham School, Kirsty
Kirkley, Head of School and Nick Millen, Director of Operations at the School.
“We are all keen to be involved and look forward to the fruits of our labour come harvest time!’ said Kirstie Kirkley.
“The tree symbolises the ‘tree of knowledge’ and demonstrates our commitment to growth and caring for the
environment. We are also committed to encouraging healthy eating so we are delighted to be able to reinforce this
message through the Boarding Orchard project. It is also an opportunity to introduce our pupils to the many
wonderful varieties of apples we have in this country”, said Kieran McLaughlin.
Since the launch in 2014 by the BSA, schools across the UK - including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - have
joined The Boarding Orchard, and trees have also been planted at boarding schools in Switzerland and the USA. It is
hoped that 500 schools from all over the nation will participate. You can find out more at:
http://www.boarding.org.uk/440/boarding-orchard END
Notes for Editors:
1.
2.
For all media enquiries please contact Durham School Marketing Director, Mrs Nicola McCann on
0191 375 3280 or by email at n.mccann@durhamschool.co.uk
Background information on Durham School is available upon request from the Marketing Department or from their website at
www.durhamschool.co.uk
1