New Outdoor Classroom Opens At Ormsgill Primary School.
Pupils at Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School in Barrow are enjoying a newly transformed outdoor learning area designed to give children more opportunities to learn, explore and connect with nature.
The project has transformed an overgrown and previously unused section of the school grounds into an accessible outdoor classroom. The new space includes a restored pond, natural planting, sensory areas and discovery zones created using natural materials.
The pond has been restored as a supervised wildlife habitat, while new planting has been introduced to improve biodiversity. Seating, improved fencing and additional storage have also been installed, creating a practical environment that can be used for both lessons and outdoor activities.
The project was developed by Westmorland and Furness Council and Natural England, alongside several partner organisations. Participants in the Community Payback scheme carried out groundworks and helped regenerate the area, gaining new skills and confidence during the project.
Natural England’s Cumbria Area Team Health and Environment Officer Kate Jackson supported the environmental and educational aspects of the work. She said the completed space would increase opportunities for outdoor learning and play while improving children's access to nature.
The project also received support from the North West Probation Service, with staff describing the transformation as having a positive impact on everyone involved. Other organisations supporting the work included Capgemini, Creative Communities UK CIC, MKM Builders Merchants and Friends of Ormsgill School.
Staff from the AtkinsRéalis Mott MacDonald Alliance also helped raise funds for the project. A 105-mile cycle challenge from Manchester to Ormsgill raised £925.75, with the team completing the route in just under eight hours.
Headteacher Michael Cull said the transformed area would provide a valuable additional learning environment, allowing children to learn, explore and connect with nature. He also thanked the organisations, volunteers, families and individuals who contributed to the project.
The school's project coordinator, Jackie Mayvers, said the garden would provide opportunities for pupils both inside and outside the classroom, allowing them to develop curiosity while enjoying time outdoors. Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School currently provides education for children aged three to 11 and is part of the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust. The new outdoor classroom is now giving pupils a dedicated place to experience nature directly while supporting lessons, discovery and outdoor play for years to come.
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