When the children return to Outwoods Edge Primary School in Loughborough after the summer holidays, they’ll find their outdoor learning space looking a little bit different. Over the summer, Geopark volunteers and local families came together to transform parts of the school grounds, creating new spaces for children to grow, explore and connect with nature.
New raised beds were installed, ready for the children to get planting and learn all about growing throughout the seasons. Guttering and water butts were fitted to the allotment shed to collect rainwater, providing a sustainable way to water the plants. The area around the school pond was given a new lease of life too. Rotten decking was removed and replaced with a small wooden platform and a gravel and slabbed area, creating a welcoming space where children can enjoy a bit of pond dipping and insect spotting. Although planned as a one-day event, the commitment of the volunteers and local families meant the team returned to complete the work, even during some particularly hot weather.
Hayley Rock, Charnwood Forest Geopark’s Education Officer said “It’s been lovely to see our volunteers and local families come together to create a space where children can learn, explore and enjoy the outdoors. We hope it will inspire the children to take their learning outside and make the most of their outdoor environment. A big thank you to everyone involved!”