School’s outdoor facilities enhance learning through play
A Stafford primary school and nursery is celebrating after opening a new outdoor area.
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, located on Marston Road in Stafford, spent £35,000 on the new playground.
The facilities have doubled the amount of outdoor space the children have and are specifically designed to meet the needs of the children in nursery and reception class, enabling them to learn through play in a safe and stimulating environment.
Facilities include climbing stacks, a water wheel, reading areas and a cycle track.
Mark Brandon, principal at St Patrick's, said: “The past twelve months have really highlighted just how much benefit children gain from exploring outdoors.
"Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being.
"We were keen to ensure that we offered our younger children the very best outdoor environment possible and the new play area is a triumph of design and functionality.
"We wanted to provide a calm environment which is important in a busy town setting, with a focus on natural colours and nature, making it an extension of indoors to out. The children have watched the progress daily with great excitement."
Work was carried out by Pentagon Play, an award-winning designer of outdoor learning environments trusted by schools and nurseries across the country.
A small opening ceremony marked the occasion on May 11 as the new facilities were officially opened by Steve Bell, CEO of The Painsley Catholic Academy and Gemma Brookes, chair of the board of governors at St Patrick’s and Father Robert Devaney, who performed a short blessing.
