They do like to be beside the seaside!
Pupils delighted with new play area
CHILDREN can now study on the beach and climb palm trees after their school unveiled a seaside-themed outdoor learning area.
The colourful space at St Gregory’s Catholic Academy, in Longton, will be used every day by nursery and reception pupils.
It is the first stage of a £30,000 investment in new facilities, which will also include improved playgrounds and a putting green so children can practise golf.
The foundation stage outdoor classroom was opened on Wednesday – just days after St Gregory’s welcomed all of its pupils back to school.
Evelyn Dodd was eagerly waiting to try it out. The four-year-old, from Longton, said: “I like it because it’s a beach. We could build sandcastles now.”
Evelyn is also glad to return to the classroom after two months of remote learning.
“I was excited to get back. I’ve been on Teams for ages,” she added. “I missed all my teachers and my friends too. I was missing the entire school.”
Ibrahim Hussain has also been impressed with the new outdoor space. The four-year-old, from Normacot, said: “It’s like going on holiday.”
The area has been fitted with artificial grass, which has been laid over an old soft play space so is still spongy to walk on.
Reception teacher Leigh-ann Bath, who is also the assistant early years leader, said: “We’re excited to be able to use our new, vibrant outdoor learning area. It will enhance and stimulate our children’s creativity and curiosity when learning outdoors.
“They might build a ship or a rocket to the moon. We leave it up to their imagination. Our outdoor learning area also includes a mud kitchen where they can do baking, and areas for reading and prayer.”
Altogether 110 pupils in nursery and reception will benefit from using the new space, which is linked to a covered walkway outside classrooms.
For the wider revamp, St Gregory’s asked for children’s input. Pupils on the school’s sports council suggested the putting green to broaden their PE activities. It will be ready later this month.
Headteacher Victoria Brickley said the developments have added an extra dash of excitement as pupils settle back into school life.
“They came in happy and skipping,” she said.
During the recent lockdown, every class from Year 6 down to nursery has been having lessons via Microsoft Teams.
“We gave 64 devices out so all children could learn online. We also had data cards for those who were struggling,” added Mrs Brickley. “We did home visits and helped parents on the doorstep.”
St Gregory’s has found most pupils have managed to make progress over the last two months, though some noticed drawbacks.
Ten-year-old Saif Alyas, from Longton, said: “If you were doing work online and weren’t able to hear other pupils because of the IT issues, you would fall a bit behind. It’s much better in school.”