Academy’s new outdoor space

A FUN-packed summer fair for the entire family to enjoy is set to act as the official opening of a wonderful outdoor space that the whole community can benefit from.

A new outdoor space is coming to Catcote Academy, Hartlepool.

The area has cost £433,000 to build and has been specifically designed for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities in mind

The summer fair will not only showcase its impressive new outdoor area, but there will be entertainment for the entire family. There will be face painting, stilt walkers, live music and a DJ to get everyone in the party spirit with plenty of things to do.

The activities include making bird feeders, scavenger hunts and story-telling whilst roasting marshmallows. There will also be plenty of food and craft stalls to keep everyone busy.

The new outdoor fitness and learning zone is the perfect place to develop new skills and take part in physical activity.

Lisa Greig, Catcote Academy’s headteacher, said: “We are really proud of what has been achieved with this fantastic area that everyone can benefit from. Whether it is local scout groups, holistic therapists, private nurseries or even fitness boot camp leaders, we believe our outdoor fitness and learning zone is suitable for a wide-range of people across our town. That was the aim when we went through the process of planning and building the zone.

“Yes, we wanted it to help us deliver a high quality, relevant and balanced education for all our students, but we also wanted to open it up for the benefit of the community.”

Catcote Academy is keen to promote the work that goes on as well as highlight what the exciting new learning zone has to offer. The zone includes a wheelchair-friendly track, an alternative rough track that can be used by more able runners, an assault course and two junior football pitches.

There is also outdoor gym equipment, sensory play and environmental learning areas, an outdoor classroom area complete with fire pit and an area for forest school.

The funds to build the area were raised through Sport England, Wolfson Foundation, Bailey Thomas Trust, Garfield Weston and James Knott.

The big reveal of the outdoor space and the fun-packed fair will take place Saturday, July 16, between 11am and 2pm at the academy.