A NEW �10,000 outdoor classroom to help children learn in the fresh air was unveiled last Wednesday at Old Buckenham Community Primary School.

A NEW �10,000 outdoor classroom to help children learn in the fresh air was unveiled last Wednesday at Old Buckenham Community Primary School.

The packed playground will be used by reception and year one classes and includes a digging area, sandpit, water feature and large canopy so that children can remain outside even in bad weather.

Because of this children will be able to use the area every day, even during the winter.

As well as the play features, the garden includes an apple and a pear tree so that children can learn about the changing seasons and their effect on nature.

Teacher Amanda Cobburn helped to organise the project and said that she was pleased with the school's new facility.

'I love it. The kids are out here all the time, in all weathers,' she said.

'It's been quite a long time in the making. We had quite a lot of problems in finding the funding.'

The garden was opened yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Lisa Christensen, head of children's services at Norfolk County Council.

'It's an absolutely wonderful looking garden. It just lifts your heart, and the whole school,' she said.

Children from the school sang four songs to an audience of parents and teachers before the garden was officially opened.

Part of the idea behind the playground was to fulfil a Government drive to provide outdoor learning spaces at schools.

The school plans to provide even more outdoor activities in the future by creating a gardening area for the school's 170 children.