Vandalised outdoor area back in use at primary

AN outdoor classroom which was destroyed by vandals has reopened — and the group behind it has vowed not to let yobs spoil the pupils’ fun.

Thugs destroyed Craigiebarns Primary School’s award-winning outdoor structure, which is made out of plastic bottles, in May.

Parents, pupils and staff at the school were resolute about getting it fixed and set to work immediately.

Measures have now been put in place to prevent it being vandalised again.

Jane McIntosh, a member of the Craigiebarns Primary School Parent Partnership, said: “We won’t be disheartened.

“The vandals could keep ruining it but we are determined.

“Our outdoor classroom is such a great idea — and the kids love it.

“The vandals destroyed all the vegetables and plants, except for some cauliflower — so at least the children got to sample something.

“The plant beds are all sat waiting now, waiting for spring and for all the fruits and vegetables we can grow.

“We’ve had a fence built around the whole area which will make it more secure and hopefully deter people from doing it again.”

The outdoor spaces are maintained by the parent partnership, in conjunction with the school, and started out as part of a plan to encourage more outdoor learning.

It grew into a fully fledged garden with a greenhouse and a corresponding classroom and blackboard, where children could sit to learn the science behind the hands-on gardening.

Jane said the outdoor space has been enhanced even further, with the installation of a multi-use games area, funded by the parent partnership, and an outdoor dance floor.

She said: “We’re excited by all the things we’ve been able to do and it all started with the outdoor classroom and garden.

“I would say the children are much healthier and better behaved.

“Parents and teachers alike are happy we invested in this and we all jumped at the idea to go even further with our outdoor classroom.

“We won’t be disheartened. They could keep ruining it but we are determined. It’s worth it.

“In the next few weeks we’ll start planting again too. We can’t wait.”