Bringing the inside out for youngsters

Indoor learning has been put in the shade by a new extension at a school near Wareham.

A new outdoor learning space has got top marks from pupils at Sandford St Martin’s Primary School. Featuring a 15m x 5m wooden pergola, reception children can now learn and play in a natural environment without worrying about the weather.

The under-cover area was created by local contractor Andy Critchell with an £8,000 investment from PTA funds. It adds another tick on the list of facilities at the primary school which already boasts its own large on-site forest school, a dipping pond and two further outdoor classrooms in its spacious grounds. Headteacher Paul Beveridge said: “We’ve been longing for this sort of extension for years and we’re thrilled with the results!”