The Boarding Orchard was launched by the BSA in 2014 and aims to be largest orchard, by distance, in the UK. It involves UK boarding schools joining the orchard by planting fruit trees in their grounds.

Head of Rendcomb College, Rob Jones said: “We are excited to be joining The Boarding Orchard. We are continually improving our boarding provision and already this term, pupils have been making sushi, visited Giffords Circus and had a campfire in our woods. We also have a full programme of activities on Saturday mornings which include different sporting experiences and life skills.”

He continued: “All of our children, whether they are full boarders, flexi or occasional boarders, or day pupils, contribute hugely to the Rendcomb Family.”

Chief Executive of the BSA, Robin Fletcher, visited Rendcomb College to plant the tree alongside Houseparents, Jo Bond (Year 7-9 House) and Marc Silverthorn (Sixth Form House) together with boarders from across the school.

The trees in The Boarding Orchard symbolise the ‘tree of knowledge’ and demonstrate each school’s commitment to growth and caring for the environment. Since its launch, over 140 schools across the UK have joined The Boarding Orchard, and trees have also been planted at boarding schools in Switzerland and the USA.