Rhws Primary pioneer outdoor learning spaces

Rhws Primary School has thought outside the box to give pupils new outdoor spaces in which to learn.

A 100m2 tepee has been erected providing the children with an exciting new space in which to have lessons.

The school has also revamped other spaces following vandalism earlier in the year with the help of the local community.

The team at Rhws Primary School have unveiled their new outdoor learning spaces, and further projects are underway, including a nurture pod and a nutrition pod, creating a wellbeing ‘village’ for the children. 

These outdoor spaces include a large tepee, providing a much needed, large well-ventilated learning space, suitable for a variety of activities, including classroom learning, school performances and PE lessons.  

The Rhws Rangers area at the school has also had a makeover, following vandalism earlier in the year. 

The Rangers group aims to help children build resilience, confidence and independence, and learn new skills using outdoor spaces. 

Chief Ranger, Tara Williams, along with other staff, parents and volunteers worked tirelessly to clear the group’s outdoor area before installing new bench seating and outdoor cooking and craft facilities.

This area is used for learning about nature and developing outdoor craft skills and team building. 

Jacqui Pyer, School Business Manager at Rhws Primary school got in touch to share the news. She said: 

“COVID has changed the way we operate in so many ways, but we can take many positives from it.  

“We have been made to think outside the box and that has led us to further develop outdoor areas for learning.  

“Children’s wellbeing has suffered greatly during this period of enormous change, they have had to adapt, often with little notice.

"These new learning areas both enrich the children’s school experience and lifts their spirits.

“The children love learning in the new area. Rhws Rangers learn about local plants and which ones are edible; they even made dandelion fritters on the open fire!  

“This would not have been possible without the work of volunteers and the generosity of the local community.” 

The school have also announced that they are planning to open two new shipping container conversions, providing new spaces for the children to learn.

The first of the containers, named the Nurture Pod, will be catered towards the pupils’ wellbeing, decorated with natural materials, creating a safe and comforting place for work to take place.

The second, the Nutrition Pod, will be fitted with a full working kitchen so that children can learn about nutrition, health and will learn how to cook and serve food.