PRIMARY school pupils put spades in the ground as they bid to create a special forest area to study and enjoy.

The youngsters at Unity Primary Academy in Greenstead, Colchester, got stuck in with the project as it launched on Friday.

It will see the Hickory Avenue school become the first school in Essex to grow a Miyawaki forest on its premises.

Once complete, the forest will offer a unique study space measuring 320 square metres.

Gazette: Team - the youngsters prepare to get to workTeam - the youngsters prepare to get to work (Image: Katie Mears)

Gazette: Just keep digging - the pupils dig awayJust keep digging - the pupils dig away (Image: Katie Mears)

Headteacher Pieter Labuschagne said it will become the jewel in a series of environmental projects led by the school.

These include schemes where pupils plant and grow vegetables which are then harvested and eaten in the school canteen.

“What makes the Miyawaki forestry method so special is that within two years an established forest will be in place,” said Mr Labuschagne.

Gazette: Stand back - a digger is used to give the project a helping handStand back - a digger is used to give the project a helping hand (Image: Katie Mears)

Gazette: Helping hand - Mr Labuschagne, right, gets stuck inHelping hand - Mr Labuschagne, right, gets stuck in (Image: Katie Mears)

“During this time pupils at Unity will see their legacy grow as each child in the school will plant trees and there will be more than a thousand indigenous and other trees planted in the forest.

“This means that our pupils will literally grow with the forest.”

The tree planting event was well-attended by the likes of Colchester MP Will Quince, mayoress Nicola Goodchild and representatives from the University of Essex.

Gazette: Crowd - the school watches on Crowd - the school watches on (Image: Katie Mears)

Gazette: Teamwork - all involved take a breather from diggingTeamwork - all involved take a breather from digging (Image: Katie Mears)

The Miyawaki forestry method itself was developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki.

Once complete at Unity, pupils and university students will be able to conduct studies measuring the forest’s impact on the air and soil quality.

“Each classroom will have an air quality monitor fitted as part of the study, further raising awareness of the importance of clean air,” added the headteacher.

Gazette: Cute - school dog Harvey was the centre of attention hereCute - school dog Harvey was the centre of attention here (Image: Katie Mears)

Gazette: Hefty - the piles of soil build upHefty - the piles of soil build up (Image: Katie Mears)

Mr Labuschagne said pupils will even be able to spend a night sleeping under the stars in the forest as part of a scheme to give them 11 life experiences before their eleventh birthdays.

He said: “We will now be able to sleep under the stars in our own woodland forest and truly embrace this experience to another level.

“We believe that this will be a significant project and the impact will be felt for years to come.”

Gazette: Well attended - MP Will Quince and mayoress Nicola Goodchild were among those in attendanceWell attended - MP Will Quince and mayoress Nicola Goodchild were among those in attendance (Image: Katie Mears)

Gazette: Great work - a forest will be born out of the school's effortsGreat work - a forest will be born out of the school's efforts (Image: Katie Mears)