A FREE school has received funding from a charitable trust and from local companies to further improve its outdoor learning opportunities.

Chetwynde School received a grant from the Sue Peaple’s Trust which has helped to fund tools, hammocks, items for forest play and fire-lighting equipment as well as to help fund further training.

The Trust was set up in memory of a well-respected educator, to develop its Forest School provision.

Janet Brown, a senior teaching assistant who holds the Forest School Leader qualification, said work will take place through the summer.

“We are looking to maximise the use of the beautiful grounds and enhance the provision of Forest Schools and outdoor learning for pupils of all ages and senior students completing the John Muir award,” she said.

“This includes developing resources and zones to maximise the area surrounding our outdoor classroom including an improved fire pit, making improvements to our allotment area and installing a greenhouse which was purchased with money raised by pupils, renovate a quiet garden space and begin to prepare a new strip of land by initial planting.”

The teaching assistant said two other senior TA’s had recently completed their Forest School Leaders qualification and the school had been supported by South Lakes Tree Surgeons and Landscaping, Stuart Park Landscapes and Knipe Milk.

She added: “Chetwynde recognises the value of children spending time outdoors and making a connection to nature either within the school grounds or within the local community, allowing holistic, multi-sensory and practical learning to occur in a different way outside the classroom.

“We have been fortunate to receive a grant from the Sue Peaple Trust towards developing Forest School provision.

“The charitable trust was set up by Sue’s family in her memory to assist local projects supporting inclusion as Sue was a well respected special educational needs teacher.”