Publication Date: 21-10-2022 09:00
Bellway rebuilds outdoor classroom for school in Hatfield Peverel
Children at St Andrew’s Junior School in Hatfield Peverel are enjoying using their new outdoor learning classroom and garden, thanks to local housebuilder Bellway.
Site staff and contractors from Bellway’s Hatfield Grove and Priory Grange developments in the village spent the summer holidays redeveloping the overgrown memorial and reflection garden, in addition to the forest school areas, ready for the start of the new term in September.
Fencing between the two areas was removed to allow children to move between them, while weeds and dilapidated structures were cleared to make way for new activity areas, seating and planting.
The new memorial and reflection garden includes a pupil-designed mosaic and bench areas for reading and reflection, while the forest school area includes a fire pit, water area, stage seating, a mud kitchen with a working sink, a bug hotel, rope climbing and swings and raised planting beds.
The Headteacher of St Andrew’s Junior School, Becky Black, said: “We are very appreciative of this amazing project which has been led by Bellway and their associates.
“The outdoor classroom had fallen into disrepair and so the rejuvenation of this area, now named 'The Nature Base', has had an enormous impact on the learning of all of our children.
“Each half term, different year groups spend their afternoons learning outdoors with our deputy headteacher, Mrs Dutaut.
“Every session links to the national curriculum, providing experiential learning in a practical outdoor environment which improves their mental health and their self-esteem.
“So, we would like to express our heart-felt thanks to Bellway’s team who spent a very hot summer working on this project to make such a wonderful difference for our children.”
Richard Burrows, Managing Director of Bellway Essex, said: “It is fantastic to see the newly-finished outdoor learning classroom which we’ve been involved in rejuvenating for the children of St Andrew’s Junior School.
“We’re building homes at two developments in the village, so we were keen to support the school with its plans. The outdoor area had become badly overgrown, untidy and ultimately needed a revamp to make the space safe, wheelchair-accessible and inspiring for the children.
“Work started in July, so we could complete the project in time for the children and staff to use in September. Our subcontractors and colleagues worked very hard to get the facilities ready for the children before they returned from their summer holidays.”
Companies also involved in the project included Tamdown, SurvaTec, Matt Lee Landscape Architecture, SES Arboriculture, Pharaoh Fencing and Down 2 Earth Garden Services.
Bellway is building 145 homes in the first phase at Hatfield Grove, off Station Road in Hatfield Peverel, and 140 homes at Priory Grange, off Stone Path Drive.
To find out more, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/hatfield-grove or https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/priory-grange. The sales teams can be contacted on 01245 962668 (Hatfield Grove) or 01245 962508 (Priory Grange).
