New outdoor classroom awaits Abbot’s Lea School students

Abbot’s Lea School has unveiled a new outdoor classroom within its spacious Woolton grounds. 

The new provision will provide all students – who are aged from 3-19 and are living with autism and a range of associated communication, interaction, social, imagination, sensory and learning differences – the opportunity to learn more about nature and the environment through outdoor learning and play. 

Students will be able to have lessons within the new space, grow herbs and plants, and experience the local wildlife and study nature’s habitat. They will also be able to develop new life skills through den building and embarking on nature walks. 

Designed and created by Eden Play, the project was completed during half term, ready for the return of students on 8 March. 

Headteacher, Mrs Ania Hildrey, said: “We have been planning this exciting project since I joined the school in 2016 and, at last, our financial stability and students’ ideas came together to bring this project to life. 

“The benefits of outdoor learning and play are endless and this provision is something that will benefit our current and future students for many years to come. We work tirelessly to ensure Abbot’s Lea students are equipped with a broad range of life skills during their time here and this new provision will help us to deliver further important skills for later life.  

Mrs Hildrey added: “We are very much looking forward to showing our students and their families around the new outdoor classroom upon their return to the school premises. When it is safe to do so, we would also love to invite other schools and community groups to come and make use of the facilities within our expansive grounds.” 

Abbot’s Lea School also has on old polytunnel, which has the potential to be recovered and cleared in order to create an additional space for students to study, grow their own fruit and vegetables, and fully embrace the huge benefits of learning and playing outdoors.

The school is seeking the support of any local groups who would like to help the team with this challenge.  If you would like to support Abbot’s Lea School’s polytunnel project, please contact andrew.cocklin@abbotsleaschool.co.uk