Magdalen Academy has opened a new outside classroom – with pupils excited to mix up their lessons

Excited pupils can benefit from a new outside learning space which has now opened after a long wait.

Magdalen Academy officially opened its new outdoor classroom on Friday after being awarded a grant by the Community Infrastructure Levy through West Norfolk Council.

The classroom, which had been a long time coming for the school after being in the pipeline since post-pandemic, has finally become a reality after being built by ESP Play during the Easter holidays.

A successful bid saw the school awarded a grant of just under £18,000.

As well as the grant, the ‘friends of the school’ group had also raised some money from events they had organised and from Tesco, making an additional total of £3,500.

At the opening of the new outdoor classroom, Lisa Palmer, deputy executive head at the school, delivered a speech thanking everyone involved in making the project happen.

She said: “I would just like to say a big thank you to the school, as they have been persistent in getting this done. It was a little bit of a celebration when it arrived and we got the bid for the grant.”

A ribbon was officially cut by house captains Riley, Chloe, and Mia, who have been very excited about the new addition to the school.

Chloe said: “I’m most looking forward to having lessons in there and having fun around it as I love being outside.”

Riley said: “I am very excited it's now open. I’m most looking forward to having assemblies in there.”

Kathy Ward, Ali Claxton, and Laura Foster, the friends of the school, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that we have actually finally raised the money to be able to build this because it's been a very long process.”

Mrs Palmer said the children love being outside and have already said they want to do their yoga and singing in the new classroom - as well as outdoor assemblies.

She said: “I think it's going to add to that provision of them being outside, and with our numbers growing it just gives more opportunities for outdoor learning.

“Often children don't think they are learning when they are outside.

“As well as the younger children coming out, it will also be used for things like science lessons, art, bug hunting, and more.”

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