Patna PS wanted to create an outside area for P1 and P2 pupils to use. The aim was to make use of an area visible from the classroom with the potential for easy, free flow access between the indoors and the outdoors.
This is the space before its transformation. Read on to find out what happened next!
What was already in place: a gated outdoor area; a building overhang to provide some shelter; a door from the classroom to the outdoors.
What was needed : a way to reduce noise indoors; an interesting outdoor space which could be used for learning across the curriculum; a space where pupils had ownership.
Miss McGhee and pupils set to work and this was what was created!
Space for Learning
Space for collaboration.
Space for exploration.
Space to be creative.
Space to read and be with friends.
How It Was Done
Patna PS involved the wider community and were given donations of wellies, hats & scarves; a woodwork bench; a mud kitchen; loose parts such as pieces of wood, guttering and (from a fly tipping site!) tyres.
P1 enlisted the help of workmen and machinery already at work elsewhere in the grounds.
Miss McGhee and the school community raised funds by applying for grants. Not all grants were successful but the project did receive £300 from Shire Housing and £1000 from Tesco Bags for Help. A Big Summer Party Fundraiser was held.
PEF funding was used to buy waterproof suits.
TIMELINE
April 2019
Initial plans in place
April/May 2019
While work was being carried out in the ECC, the school took the opportunity to ask the workmen if they would be able to remove large bushes taking up space along the building. The LOST team were invited in and promoted child led planning ( photographs were used to prompt discussion) and children created their own maps and recorded their ideas.
May 2019
PEF used.
June 2019
Big Summer Party Fundraiser
June-Dec:ember 2019
Outdoor suits, workbench, mud kitchen, wardrobe, wood chippings added to area, donations of loose parts and clothes from community
May 2020
Applied for funding- National Lottery, Tesco, Learning through Landscapes
June 2020
Community involvement- received tractor tyres for trim trail, boulders also moved.
Shire Housing £300 grant received
January 2021
Successful for Tesco Bags of Help Grant £1000
February 2021
Children consulted on areas to develop/resources to purchase.
NEXT STEPS
Now that the space is recognised as a resource for learning, its use is included in Learning and Teaching plans. It will continue to develop in consultation with pupils and will be used to meet their needs and interests.
