Pupils at Preston Primary (VC) School are looking forward to getting their wellies on again as they continue to plant and nurture seasonal gardens.

The green-fingered youngsters are getting back to basics as part of a wide-ranging whole school community project to develop outdoor learning spaces including a wildlife pond, seasonal gardens, and a new path leading to a dedicated outdoor classroom.

Situated in the beautiful village of Preston just a few minutes from Hitchin, Preston Primary School has its origins in the 1800s and has been a continuous part of the life of Preston village ever since.

Headteacher Inneke Luitingh said: "Nurturing the school's outside spaces provides so many academic and pastoral benefits.

"In designing, planting, and maintaining the gardens, children from all year groups have expanded their knowledge and skills in areas as diverse as science, mathematics, secondary research, and art and design, while also reaping the benefits of being in the great outdoors and taking responsibility for the health of other living organisms".

Starting just before the summer holidays, every pupil at Preston Primary School designed and made a unique stepping stone to adorn a new path which leads from the playground to a new, all-weather outdoor classroom.

The classroom, which has a roof, seating, and a blackboard, but is open on all slides, allows the children to take lessons in the fresh air, whatever the weather.

Already, pupils have been enjoying a variety of activities such as rehearsing songs for school assemblies, lessons in maths, philosophy, art, and creative writing, and even building bug hotels.

Rebecca, aged 7, from Birch class said, "It was fun making my stepping stone with shells and pebbles and glass beads and I liked digging holes and watering the new plants. The plant next to my stepping stone is a pink flower called Rebekah spelled with a 'K'"

The new, 200 metre-long path was constructed with help from volunteers from within our school community, and funding for the path and outdoor classroom was provided by Preston School Association.

The work has helped to make more of the school's grounds accessible to pupils in all weather.

A generous donation of plants from Stevenage Garden Centre has enabled the children to design a number of gardens based around different themes, such as the four seasons, as well as to be sensory and reflective spaces.

This supports Preston Primary's ongoing focus on wellbeing, which, having always been a core part of the school's traditional ethos, has proven to be a hidden strength for the school community throughout the Covid pandemic.

Pupils picked up on the themes of resilience and rejuvenation while working on a whole-school project inspired by the timeless tale of 'The Secret Garden', by Frances Hodgson-Burnett.

Through artwork and stories, pupils were able to reflect the importance of a hobby such as gardening when dealing with difficulties such as illness, loss, or changed circumstances.

The pupils have already learnt a vast amount about various plants and how to look after them, and Preston Primary School has also instituted weekly gardening sessions as part of the curriculum for all pupils.

Over the summer holidays, parent volunteers from Preston School Association, as well as teaching staff and their partners, helped to clear an area to make space for a new wildlife pond, which will bolter children's STEM learning, as well as providing a tranquil and reflective space to support pupil wellbeing.

Oak class has already spotted a frog taking up residence in the new pond and all pupils are eagerly watching for the arrival of new insects, amphibians, and even mammals such as hedgehogs, which it is hoped will enjoy the "beach" area of the wildlife pond.

Mrs Luitingh added: "It has been heart-warming to see the Preston Community come together after a long period of separation to create something that is not only beautiful but that will enhance the children's learning for a very long time to come, and I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all involved."

Preston Primary School would love to welcome visitors to come and see this wonderful new learning environment. Please contact the school to make an appointment.

The school has spaces for reception intake in September 2022 and we are proud that our catchment reaches to Hitchin, its neighbouring villages, and beyond.