Wellies, waterproofs, and gardening gear needed for Outwell school’s ambitious forest project

A school is hoping the community will dig in and help with an exciting new project to upgrade their outdoor facilities.

Beaupre Community Primary School in Outwell has launched an appeal asking for donations of a range of items that will help with its ambitious plans for the outdoor facilities, which includes its forest area.

Deputy headteacher Mikaila Monck said the aim is to enhance what the school already has to make it even better for pupils, but also for the community as a whole.

She said a number of outside bodies including the under-fives centre make use of the grounds including the small forest area – and the hope is to expand that to make it even better.

There are also plans for the setting up of a mud kitchen, tyre swings, a well-being space, hammocks, and slack lines, and the whole school is getting involved.

Mikaila said: “We believe this area will be so important for so many reasons once it is completed and will benefit the whole school community in many ways.

“Once completed with the children, we will then be trained by 'Woodland Julie' who will help the staff deliver their own woodland sessions.

“We will be using the area for well-being sessions, SEND sessions, and whole class sessions involving art, woodwork, crafts, life skills, play, and much more.

“We will also be inviting parents in to join us to either work or play in our woodland area so this will be a community space as well as a space for just our pupils.

“We are already getting some donations but in order for this project to work (due to poor school budgets for this sort of thing), we could really do with some outside help.”

The school is appealing for donations of children’s wellies, waterproofs, and gardening equipment such as wheelbarrows and spades, as well as gardening gloves, hand trowels, watering cans, and other tools.

Old pots and pats, cutlery, potato peelers, whisks, and items like that are also needed for the planned kitchen and on top of all that the school would like people to donate pond dipping items, tuff trays, and magnifying glasses.

Mikaila added: “We need the items for the children – the wellies and the waterproofs – to make the area accessible to all pupils, as not all own such things.”

“But we do also need a shed for storage and waterproofs and wellies for children who do not own such a thing so that ALL can access this awesome area.

If you would like to help then contact the school on 01945 772439.