Outdoor Classroom

Leigh Primary School is proud to be developing a unique and inspiring Outdoor Classroom within our dedicated plot of land in Leigh Village. This site includes a playing field with a trim trail and a beautiful forested area that our children have enjoyed for many years.

Outdoor learning is central to our ethos, and we are passionate about the positive impact it has on children’s wellbeing, confidence, curiosity, and academic development. We are now taking the next exciting step by transforming this space into a versatile, curriculum-rich outdoor classroom that will inspire learning for generations to come.

Thanks to the incredible support of our PTA and local community, a substantial amount of funding has already been raised. So far, we have:

• Installed a gazebo classroom

• Secured support through the Aviva Match Funding Community Scheme, enabling the installation of a renewable energy board
  This will teach children about renewable energy while allowing them to safely use electric equipment within the outdoor space.

To bring this vision to life, we have worked with The Garden Taylor, who have produced concept and detailed designs for seven distinct learning areas. These designs showcase a truly exceptional environment where children can explore their curriculum in creative, meaningful ways.

📽️ Below, you will find a slideshow of these designs to give you a taste of what this incredible space will offer our pupils.

leigh primary school outdoor classroom.pdf

Our Aims for the Outdoor Classroom

• Embed Climate Action in Everyday Learning
  Empower pupils to become active climate citizens, engaging with sustainability through hands-on, nature-rich experiences.

• Foster Wellbeing and Environmental Stewardship
  Immersive outdoor learning will deepen children’s connection to nature, supporting both mental and physical health in an ever-changing world.

• Integrate Sustainability with Curriculum Goals
  Native wildflower meadows, a wildlife pond, renewable energy systems, composting and rainwater harvesting will create living laboratories that enrich science, geography and environmental learning across all ages.

• Build Community Engagement and Resilience
  Intergenerational workshops on composting, eco-building and water conservation will strengthen community bonds and shared responsibility for our environment.

  Phase 1 of our Classroom Development

•  

  Our current fundraising efforts are dedicated to Phase 1 of the project, which includes three key areas:

The Woodland Stage

The Woodland Stage will act as a natural outdoor theatre, encouraging:

• Role play and performance to build confidence, language skills and perspective-taking

• Audience participation that develops turn-taking and self-regulation

Trees growing through the deck and surrounding planting create soft fascination, helping restore attention and reduce stress. The clearly defined stage edge introduces just-enough risk, supporting judgement, balance and body awareness.

Acorn Playground

The Acorn Playground is designed to nurture both imagination and emotional regulation:

• Acorn-shaped domes provide cosy dens where children can calm, reset and re-engage

• Low platforms and linking pathways encourage climbing, balancing and sequencing

• Open-ended routes promote collaboration, problem-solving and creative play

A living willow boundary offers a gentle sense of enclosure, enhancing feelings of safety while preserving freedom to explore.

The Wildlife Pond

Time spent near water has a naturally calming effect and supports co-regulation between children and adults. The pond area will include:

• Observation grids and “upside-down periscopes” to turn curiosity into inquiry

• Opportunities for patient observation, developing early scientific thinking

• Hands-on care of pond life, fostering empathy and environmental stewardship

Varied pond edges and boulders encourage careful movement, strengthening motor planning and realistic risk assessment within a supportive setting.

We will continue to update this page as the project develops and construction progresses. We are incredibly excited to share this journey with our families, supporters and wider community and look forward to celebrating each milestone along the way.

Thank you for helping us create an outdoor classroom that will inspire learning, wellbeing and climate action for years to come.