Thanks to a generous donation from a North Wales business, outdoor learning is on the curriculum for pupils at a Flintshire primary school.
The £500 from Lock Stock Self Storage, which has just opened a new site in Buckley, has paid for new equipment for Drury Lane Primary School including large pieces of plastic sheeting which can be turned into tents or used as ground sheets, small chalkboards for the pupils, chalk, educational kit and plastic kneeling mats.
Deputy head teacher Liz Jones said: “It’s been wonderful to receive this donation because improving our outdoor learning has been one of the priorities for us and this has really helped us out.
“It’s come at a perfect time and the money has been well spent and went a long way.
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“We’ve managed to get so much for the pupils to make sure they get the most out of their outdoor learning experience.
“It has really transformed what we can offer the children and they really enjoy it, especially using their initiative to put up the plastic sheeting to make shelters but probably the most important pieces of kit are the plastic kneeling mats because they mean we can be out here even if it’s wet.”
Piper Batt, from Year 5, said: “We love the outdoor lessons because they get us out into the fresh air so we’re not stuck inside.
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“It’s great that we don’t always have to sit on a chair at a desk. It’s probably one of my favourite things to do.”
Lisa James, of Lock Stock Self Storage, whose new site is near the Recycling Centre and not far from the school, added: “When we heard that outdoor learning was on the curriculum and that they needed some funds we were happy to help, especially as we have just opened our new storage park on Globe Way, in Buckley.
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“It’s great for children to be outdoors and to be learning at the same time and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to help the school with such an important project.
“I’m sure the pupils will have a fantastic time - they have such a great outdoor area here and this will help them take full advantage of it.”
Lock Stock now operates 26 parks across North Wales and the border counties, including seven in Flintshire.
They opened their new Buckley facility, their 25th, in September and number 26 is planned for Porthmadog.
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