Schools & Early Years

Entry Guidance & Criteria

Scotland’s Finest Woods and the Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland (OWLS) team up to run the annual Schools and Early Years Awards in Scotland. The Awards are to encourage and reward schools and pre-schools that increase young people’s understanding and appreciation of the environmental, social and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between trees and everyday wood-based products. You may also be able to enter the Climate Change Champion Award.

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Teachers and helpers, as well as pupils, can take part and fun can be had by all!

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We would love you to enter this year’s competition!
Remember, YOU need to be in it to WIN it!!

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Who can enter?

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Entry is open to nursery, primary, secondary and special schools anywhere in Scotland.

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What sort of project is eligible?

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Entries can be practical or desk projects involving forestry, woodlands or trees. Here are some examples of projects that can be entered:

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A programme of learning in a woodland or forest environment or in a forest industry setting.
A classroom-based study of woods and forests or the forest industry.
Practical tree planting or woodland improvement projects in school grounds or in the local community.

The entry can be for an ongoing forestry or tree related project, or one that is already completed.

Several case studies have been prepared about previous winners and runners-up to inspire you – please click here and download all of them! For more ideas explore the OWLS website: www.owlscotland.org.

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Prizes

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There are cash prizes of £500 for each of the winning school and early years entries and further prizes will be announced. Each prizewinning school and early years entry also receive a certificate and a commemorative wooden plaque recording their achievement. In addition, the beautiful Crown Estate Scotland Schools ‘squirrel’ trophy and the Early Years’ ‘acorn’ trophy will be awarded at the discretion of the judges with custody by the winning school and early years entry for one year. See the fantastic photograph to the right below taken by the ‘squirrel’ trophy sculptor who kindly lets us use this remarkable photo!

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The Crown Estate Scotland and Scottish Forestry each kindly commissioned the fantastic ‘squirrel’ and ‘acorn’ trophies for the Schools and Early Years’ Award and these are shown below:

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How you can enter

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After checking your project satisfies the entry criteria, please complete the simple, short entry form (click link below) and remember that your project may also be eligible for the Climate Change Champion Award. Entries to be submitted by email.

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Closing date for entries:

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Entries for the Early Years’ and Schools’ competitions will close on Tuesday 31 March 2026 – good luck to all who enters and thank you for your entry.