AN extra learning area was opened at Tedburn St Mary Primary School on Friday, April 20 - an area that no pupils had set foot in until then.

Bright bunting was strung across the front, a red ribbon stopped anyone getting in before the ceremony when the ribbon was cut by the youngest and the oldest pupils, Ollie aged 11 and Alexander from the Reception Class who began school last September.

Made of wood, this large space is a sort of roofed over decking with seating all around inside, giving a multi-use space outdoors. It was paid for by the school PTA, Friends of Tedburn St Mary School (FOTSMS) and put up by volunteers.

Andy Keay, school head, explained it had all begun after Stansfield School in Exeter had finished creating the potting shed with pupils. Stansfield supported children who have difficulty in a mainstream school and benefit from a more supportive environment.

“We were talking about having an outdoor classroom, so they took it on,” said Mr Keay. It has been built at the edge of the playground where there had been some covered benches that needed replacing.

“We got to the middle of October and the school stopped coming, then we found it had closed.

“The shell of the classroom was built, we had everything for the roof panels. We put out a plea and parents came and finished the roof just before it snowed.

“Then Ken Latham, whose wife Sue is a lunchtime assistant here, completed the project by building the steps, the seating and all the finishing touches, putting in the last screws this morning,” said Mr Keay.

He thanked Wayne Stewart who had started the project with Stansfield School. Mr Keay said the materials probably cost around £3,000.

The school’s next idea is to have seating around the playground. The new area was used for the first time on Monday, children had never been allowed in it until the opening.

A Parents’ Forum is to be held today, Friday, April 27, when among developments to be discussed will be the possibility of a new classroom built in the former swimming pool area.

Sue Read