A new study has revealed that private school grounds in England offer 41% more tree cover than state schools, because nothing says 'educational privilege' like a naturally air-conditioned campus. The research, which analyzed tree cover within 100 meters of all primary and secondary schools in England, found that state schools with the highest levels of free school meal eligibility - a handy proxy for socioeconomic deprivation - have 29% less tree cover than their more affluent counterparts. The median tree cover in schools with the highest free meal rates is 11.7%, compared to 16.3% for schools in wealthier areas.

This leafy disparity matters because, as climate change turns England into a surprise Mediterranean destination, trees can lower surface temperatures by up to 12-18°C compared to unshaded asphalt or concrete. Teachers have reportedly resorted to wrapping younger pupils in wet paper towels and giving older students foot baths under their desks to cope with classroom temperatures hitting 40°C. Lewis Winks, the environmental social scientist who led the research, noted that 'it is unacceptable that these benefits are so unevenly distributed.' The Woodland Trust, which has given away over 7.5 million free trees to UK schools, called on the government to address the inequality. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said they are funding initiatives like a £1m Trees Outside Woodland Fund and working with local authorities to embed green infrastructure. Meanwhile, in Plymouth - where median tree cover at schools can be as low as 4% - a council spokesperson boasted that over 70,000 trees have been planted since 2021, including at 22 schools. That's nice, but maybe plant a few more near the actual classrooms?