Darley Primary School, located eight miles from Harrogate in Nidderdale, has received a £500 grant from Broadacres’ Community Development Fund to begin work on its dream of creating a ‘woodland school’ close to nature.
The money will pay for a professional landscape gardener to clear a disused garden and overgrown land near a beck on the school grounds.
Garry Raisbeck, a volunteer with the school’s Parent, Teachers and Friends Association, said: “Other schools have bigger playgrounds, but they don’t have the rural grounds we do and we want to make the most of that.
“We want to keep it rustic, muddy and messy but the professional help is needed to make it accessible which is why this grant is so welcome and appreciated.
“The aim is to educate local children about their local environment and encourage them to enjoy the outdoors.
“In time we want to create a forest school and hopefully build children’s enthusiasm for the countryside and a sense of independence away from screens and devices.”
Once cleared, the area may be transformed by volunteers into a wild, natural space where children can learn and play.
Pupils will take part in planting seeds.
The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports projects in areas where the housing association has properties.
All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents.
More information about the fund is available at the Broadacres website.
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