Pinewood’s New Outdoor Classroom

Thinking Outside The Box

The weather may be turning colder and the evenings drawing in, but this does not mean that the pupils at Pinewood School, Wiltshire, will be spending any less time outside. The pupils, who are used to making the most of Pinewood’s impressive grounds, are delighted with the new ‘outdoor classroom’ that was opened in October. 

Nettles were cleared, the tree canopy secured, woodchip laid in abundance all to create an enchanting learning area, hidden away in a magical copse of trees beyond the bottom of the playing field. Complete with composting loos, a firepit, benches, bug hotels and even hand-made bunting, the area is protected by a huge parachute that is strung from the trees so the space can be used in all weathers.

Ruth Hall, Director of Education at Pinewood reminds us there are benefits to be found in introducing a new learning environment to pupils, particularly one outside, as she says, ‘simply being outside and getting fresh air, [is] something that can further enhance a child’s receptiveness.  We are delighted that this resource is now something we are able to use with all of our children, all year round.’

The new resource was funded by Friends of Pinewood and created by the Cotswold Forest School, whose passion and creativity transformed this once-neglected copse into a beautiful outdoor classroom, with as many of the building materials as possible are recycled from the woods and grounds of Pinewood.

Learn more about Pinewood School at one of their open days. Book one here

Find Pinewood’s School House listing here