The outdoor classroom will be located close to our pond habitat, will have the capability to host a class of up to 32 children and have step-free access. The wooden structure will have a tiled pitched roof, be open on 1 side, 2 sides will be low height and wood cladded and the final side a gable end with a blackboard. It would provide close access to the gated pond area. The outdoor classroom structure provides an all-weather multi-purpose area.

What we'll deliver:

• Outdoor classroom

Why it's a great idea:

Holy Trinity want to continue to increase the amount of time that children spend out of doors as well as offer facilities to be used by our local community. There are many benefits to learning outdoors including improved concentration, helping children be more engaged with their learning, encouraging creativity and imagination and improved well being. We will support access to this facility to other schools to offer an outdoor education to disadvantaged children who might not have access to this environment elsewhere. We are also excited about supporting our local community, and this facility would ensure that when the school grounds are in use by other groups they have an all-weather area to use to either hold their activity, keep bags dry or have their picnics. These include our local pre-schools (one of which has just lost their access to a local meadow), brownie, cub, scout and guide groups, Go wild! club, as well as offering a venue to Cuckfield Bookfest and Musicfest events.

Steps to get it done:

• Installation of outdoor classroom
• Opening event

We're very grateful for the support from Cuckfield Bonfire Society, their wonderful donation received from the 2018 Bonfire night which was attended by about 5000 people will be a significant contribution towards this project. The project is also supported through the community by the Co-Op local causes fund. Holy Trinity School in Cuckfield sits in the High Weald landscape and is a member of the High Weald Heroes school scheme. The 6 acres of school grounds includes open fields, woodlands and streams. The PTA have already funded forest school training and equipment. The pond area is being extended with support from previous school events, Cuckfield Local group, the local community market and in consultation with the High Weald. Future plans include developing a wildflower meadow, coppice area, as well as introduce an additional native hedge next to the pond. All this is under advice from the High Weald and supported by experts from Royal Botanical gardens at Kew and Edinburgh.