PUPILS AT Delph Primary School are getting closer to nature thanks to a new woodland area at the back of their school.
The play and learning space is part of a landscaping scheme by United Utilities and includes a reading space, paths through the school grounds and a covered outdoor classroom.
A new dry stone wall, completed by local craftsman Alan Rhodes, surrounds part of the previously constructed play space while new gates lead to the extended woodland path.
The area was officially opened by pupils, teachers and project partners from Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, United Utilities and Big Lottery Fund Awards for All.
Alison Leigh, headteacher at Delph Primary School, commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the newly designed area.
“Staff, pupils and the wider community can now enjoy greater access to our school grounds and pupils will really benefit from enhanced opportunities for outdoor learning.
“Our forest shelter looks fantastic and the whole scheme, with its use of natural materials, is really in keeping with our lovely surroundings.”
The project was developed following United Utilities’ £8 million flood protection scheme, which saw the company build an underground storage tank in Delph in 2009.
Tessa Smith, project coordinator at United Utilities, said: “The school was incredibly cooperative when we needed a site for the storm water storage tank, and this is one of the ways we’re saying thank you.
“It’s wonderful to know future generations at Delph will have the benefit of this new nature classroom as well as protection from flooding.”
In 2011, work was completed to give the school a new water play area, timber jetty, sandpit and amphitheatre to boost their play and learning facilities.
Ian Mansfield, landscape architect at Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, added: “An increasing number of schools appreciate the value of well-designed grounds for learning opportunities.
“The woodland area at Delph will add a new dimension to learning and will allow the school to make good use of a previously under-used area.”
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