Thorpe Primary School in Netherton, Peterborough, has netted a £150k investment for an Early Years Outdoor Play Area.

The funding will enable the school, which is part of the Peterborough Keys Academies Trust and holds a 'Good' Ofsted rating, to create a state-of-the-art outdoor learning environment.

Works are set to begin in the summer, with the space ready to be utilised in the new academic term in September.

Headteacher, Miss Emma Anderson, expressed her excitement over the project.

Artist impressions show the extent of the investment Artist impressions show the extent of the investment (Image: Pentagon Play)

She said: "We are so excited to have finalised plans for our new EYFS outdoor learning area.

"I believe that outdoor education is a key area for early years, providing children with physical and emotional benefits, as well as great learning and exploration opportunities."

Backing up Miss Anderson's words, Dr Ian Young, CEO of Peterborough Keys Academies Trust said: “This investment underlines our commitment to ensure that, as a Trust, we have outstanding outdoor learning environments for our youngest children.

"Thorpe Primary School is the second of our schools to receive this investment, following a similar project at Ravensthorpe Primary School last summer.”

Early Years Lead, Rhian Neville, said: “The Thorpe Early Years Outdoor Area has been designed to ensure all children in our Nursery and Reception classes can access high quality learning experiences outside in almost all weathers.

The area will include a mud kitchen for hands on learning The area will include a mud kitchen for hands on learning (Image: Pentagon Play)

"The children will have access to a wide range of areas, including stages, water play, sand pits, open-ended construction, mud kitchens and mark making areas."

Success for the school also means a win for the contractor, Pentagon Play.

Their head of sales and development, Luke Banner, said: "We have been able to combine our expertise in educational play with a clear vision from the Trust and School to design an engaging environment that focuses on open-ended, autonomous learning where children are provided the tools and independence to pursue their own natural curiosities and interests.”