Pupils' joy at wide open space

From the archive, first published Friday 9th Mar 2007.

EXCITED pupils have been busy settling into their new "outdoor classroom", built as part of a revamp of their school's grounds.

Youngsters at Canvey Junior School ventured out into the sunshine for a special opening event.

The outdoor classroom, off Long Road, was designed especially to help bring the children's drama and science lessons to life and give them a fresh space to enjoy their break times.

A seeded amphitheatre with stage area will be used for school productions, while the wildlife patch will give youngsters hands-on experience in learning about the different habitats of insects and mammals.

Headteacher Jan Vaughan said: "We have been waiting for available funds to develop the school's grounds.

"The funding we have received has helped enormously. We are delighted with the project's development and it will have a real impact on the children's learning."

The project was overseen by Groundwork East of England, funded by the Government's Department of Communities and Local Government, and was designed by Essex landscape architects Wynne-Williams Associates.

It was part of a wider redevelopment of the school's grounds, which has been underway since July last year.

Groundwork's programme manager Peter Christmas added: "We are pleased to have worked with Canvey Junior School to help them make the most of their land for learning and play.

"School grounds provide a great opportunity for schools to develop the National Curriculum."