A TREASURED 160-year-old oak tree in the grounds of a primary school has been saved from the threat of felling and will be protected for the future.

The tree, in Thundersley Primary School, had been put at risk after insurer LV ruled it as causing structural damage to a conservatory on a property 12 metres from the tree.

Zurich, the school’s insurance company, recommend felling the tree as the cheapest solution for the school.

But following a two-month campaign by teachers, governors, children and the community of Thundersley Primary School, the tree will be preserved by LV.

A ground visit between the insurers has led to a U-turn on the suggestion to fell the tree.

Preserved - the beloved oak treePreserved - the beloved oak tree (Image: Thundersley Primary School)

Insurers have now decided to fully fund the cost of installing a copper root barrier to mitigate any future impact the tree may have.

Permission has been given by the school governorship to begin the work, which is estimated to take two weeks.

Head of Thunderley Primary’s board of governors, Simon English, is “ecstatic” about the result.

He said: “This is one of the best possible resolutions, the measures to retain the tree and place the root barrier have been given the go ahead, so they may be done by the time the kids come back from holiday.

“I don’t know what drove them to pay, whether it was because it is the right thing to do but we are over the moon.

“We spoke between staff and said that this does go to show our children that you can fight decisions that you don’t think are right and have a good outcome, standing up for what you believe in.”

The tree has also been entered into the Woodland Trust’s tree of the 2024 competition, which is focused on ancient oaks this year.

Mr English added: “This stands the tree out. It has been against a fight and has won. We won on its behalf and it will stand for many years.

“We thank everyone who reached out with offers of support.

“I cannot wait for the children to return for the new academic year knowing that our amazing tree is safe and that, even when things look dark, fighting for the right thing does work out in the end.”