An Ashby primary school has officially opened a new outdoor gazebo classroom - thanks to backing from a local homebuilder.

Woodcote Primary School has built the new teaching facility which is part of the already-established forest school named after Hayley Foster who worked there for around 10 years as a teaching assistant and who passed away during the Covid lockdown of 2020.

Funding for the new classroom has been provided by Stonewater developers who will be building 91 affordable homes on the new Money Hill development to the rear of the school.

Stonewater has committed to enhancing facilities in the area by commissioning the newly designed gazebo.

Ashby's deputy mayor, Cllr Damilola Ojuri officially opened the outdoor classroom. Photo: Ashby Nub News

The initiative offers children an engaging and interactive space for learning outside of the traditional classroom setting, contributing to the well-being and education of the pupils. In fact, one of the children won a competition to design it.

Ashby's deputy mayor, Cllr Damilola Ojuri, officially opened the outdoor classroom - which also includes a plaque to commemorate its launch.

The school's PTFA sourced funding and an appropriate building for the project.

Stonewater funded the project entirely, and the company that sells the structures, Pentagon Play, built it.

Suzanne Jones, Headmistress of Woodcote Primary School, told Ashby Nub News: "We had an amazing forest school practitioner called Miss Foster and we lost her during Covid.

"Our forest area is named after her because she helped set it up.

"But we've been working hard to provide some outdoor classrooms and we contacted Stonewater who very kindly offered to fund the whole thing.

"That meant we didn't have to raise money over a period of time, we could just go out and get it.

"It's named Foster's Forest Den - as part of Foster's Forest - it just felt right and it was the children who named it.

The children can now do lessons outdoors. Photo: Supplied

"They can not only use it during Forest School, but also during lunchtime and playtime. The Parent Teacher Association has also arranged for an outdoor reading and writing shed so they can bring all the books up there too.

"Not all the children want to run around, they want some calm time as well.

"As a school we feel so strongly about mental health. We have a hub attached to our school for children who have significant needs in that area.

"It underpins everything about our school and being outside helps everyone.

"The children were so excited watching this being built, it only took a week to complete.

"Now we want to use it all the time.

"It's a wonderful addition to our school, offering our students a unique environment where they can explore and learn in a creative way. We are thrilled to collaborate with Stonewater."

The gazebo is part of Woodcote Primary's forest school. Photo: Ashby Nub News

The new homes are expected to be completed throughout 2025, with Stonewater continuing its commitment to developing thriving communities and improving access to affordable housing.

The addition to the Money Hill area is aimed at addressing the increasing demand for affordable homes, offering more families the opportunity to secure housing in the region.

Developers say the homes are set within an environment that promotes green spaces, sustainability and a sense of belonging for new customers.

Steven Clarke, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey East Midlands, said: "At Taylor Wimpey, we take pride in positively contributing to the local areas where we build, and we're pleased to be providing much-needed affordable homes for people in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 

"Castle Manor is an exciting new community, and we're thrilled that the sustainable garden for our show home was designed with the help of pupils from Woodcote Primary School."