A Cumbrian school has officially opened a nurture garden so it can embrace more outdoor learning.
Pupils and staff at Yanwath School, near Penrith, officially opened the garden on Friday.
Following the latest national lockdown, the staff at Yanwath planned to adapt the curriculum to incorporate more outdoor education.
They noticed that in some cases, children’s mental health and wellbeing had deteriorated and so they wanted to create an outdoor space that would help to promote positive mental health and would allow children the opportunity to learn outdoors.
The transformation of the land was made possible by the support of the schools’ PTA and donations from several local businesses.
From donations of bark to a free shed, fencing and labour to flower beds and vegetable planters, local businesses have donated in abundance to support the vision of the staff and parents.
A school spokesman said: “By giving our children this outdoor space in which they can learn, play, explore and grow, they are becoming happier, more inquisitive children who love to explore and in turn, this is having a positive impact on their wellbeing.
“As a school, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out the renovation work without the support of our PTA and the local businesses.
“We have to say a humongous thank you to Metcalfe Plant Hire Ltd, Dalefoot Composts, Cumberland Building Society, Huws Gray Penrith, Travis Perkins, AW Jenkinson (Forest Products) Limited, Relphs, Hardy’s Tyres Penrith Limited, Northlakes Glass & Glazing, O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd, Byorderofthewoods, Chambers Garage, Tyla Services Ltd, Yorkshire Trading Company, John Richardson & Sons Timber Merchants and Tigna.”
