New forest school shelter helps Ponteland pupils connect with nature
A wooden shelter is helping pupils at Ponteland Primary School to engage more closely with the natural world.
The structure was installed inside the school’s woodland area at the start of this academic year to support forest school sessions for early years children.
The shelter, which is large enough to accommodate a full cohort of 39 pupils, was paid for and installed by Bellway and its contractor TA Joinery.
It provides a space where children can take refuge from the elements during bad weather and has enabled the school to extend its forest school sessions from a half day to a full day.
Previously referred to simply as ‘the shelter’, the structure has now been officially named ‘The Nature Nook’ after Year 5 pupil Eden Drysdale won a naming competition organised by Bellway.
Following a visit to the school to present Eden with her prize of a £100 voucher for winning the competition, Bellway has also agreed to install lighting inside the shelter to make it an even more inviting space for the children.
Claire Johnson, headteacher at Ponteland Primary School, said: "Having the shelter has enabled us to extend our forest school sessions to a full day to make it a more immersive and engaging experience for the children.
“The forest school gives children the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities, such as exploring, looking at wildlife habitats, making bug hotels, den building and learning how to transport logs.
"Part of the curriculum for early years children is learning about the natural world and the woods provide the perfect environment for them.”
Bellway is currently building nearby at its Falcon Grove and Roman Court developments in Lower Callerton.
It previously delivered 275 homes at the Jameson Manor development on the site of the former Northumbria Police Headquarters site in Ponteland, with construction work finishing there in 2023.
Emma Chesterton, Sales Director at Bellway North East, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the school to present Eden with her prize for winning the naming competition and to thank all the pupils who had submitted suggestions.
"‘The Nature Nook’ was a worthy winner and a fitting name for the shelter which we hope will be enjoyed by pupils at the school for many years to come.”