Children at St Nicholas at Wade CE Primary are enjoying outdoor learning at the upgraded school pond.
During the summer a group of volunteer staff and parents set about clearing the area to make it more accessible for pupils from the start of term.
The transformation included stripping out the old bark chipping surface and replacing it with paving slabs which has enabled those using the area to get closer to the water for pond dipping.
Head teacher Taralee Kennedy said the new-look pond is a wonderful learning resource and is much tidier and neater.
She said: “It really needed a good clearance and tidy. I am so appreciative to our Pond Squad who gave up their time and worked, often in very warm conditions, to give our children a lovely new pond area.
“We were so lucky to have the materials donated by ‘Hands on Suppliers Ltd’ so the whole project was free.
“It is a beautiful space for children to learn, explore and grow and we are beyond grateful for the generosity of those who made this transformation possible.
“As a school we have always been committed to outdoor learning and this provides another opportunity to take learning outside in a different environment, whether it is observing the lifecycle of frogs, the habitats of mini beasts or testing if they have constructed a boat capable of floating – the possibilities are endless.
“The children have been using the pond since the beginning of term and it is a valuable resource for our various learning projects.”
I used to love it as a kid collecting frogs spawn from the pond in the park opposite to where I lived and taking it home in jam jars and watching them hatch into little frogs as they found water nearby to continue to live . I hope that these youngsters get as much pleasure from a pond as I did as a kid