The head will see you outside...for learning
Two schools have celebrated getting closer to nature by opening outdoor teaching spaces. At Palace Wood Primary School, in Allington, Olympic gymnast Courtney Tulloch backflipped over four teachers to celebrate the opening of their new outdoor classroom.
The area will be used to add an extra dimension to pupils’ learning.
It was funded by the parent teacher association, Friends of Palace Wood who managed to fundraise £13,000 for the project. Headteacher Mark Chatley said: “Palace Wood is well known for its fantastic grounds and the school wanted to build on this by adding an outdoor classroom to enable the children to take their learning beyond the classroom.
“With school budgets continually stretched, it seemed as if it would be something that may not happen. However, with the help of the tireless Friends of Palace Wood, the dream has become a reality.
“Its amazing fundraising efforts have meant that, over the summer holidays, the school now has an outdoor classroom. We are incredibly grateful to the Friends.”
Ditton Church of England Junior School, in New Road, Ditton, welcomed the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Jill Anderson as it unveiled a new wildlife garden. Filled with bird nesting boxes, hedgehog homes, feeders and even a pond it will be used to help pupils get closer to nature and study i their lessons.
It was funded through a £1,000 donation from convenience store, One Stop.
Office manager for the school, Angela Stevens said: “We really appreciate the donation, staff from the shop attended as well to see the official opening.”