North Notts College’s construction project at North Wheatley Primary School

The group of 28 learners, who are on a Foundation construction programme at the college, are visiting the school one day a week transforming a neglected piece of land into a base for the school pupils’ environmental work and educational play and creativity.

The young people from NNC built a log cabin for use as a classroom for environmental work and a pond which will help the primary school pupils learn more about the waterborne environment.

Future plans include the learners building a look-out tower, an area for den building, a play tunnel and a range of outdoor musical instruments made from reclaimed materials.

The area will also be planted with a variety of wild flowers and plants to create an interesting and stimulating environment for the school pupils.

NNC project worker Mick Putland said: “Most of the young people on the programme have come to college having been out of education for some time and have returned to learn valuable vocational and life skills.”

“This project has enabled them to practice their construction skills in a real life setting and has increased their employability skills by giving them the opportunity to gain experience of construction in the field.”

North Wheatley Primary School head teacher Joanna Hall said her pupils are excited by the improvements being made to their outside learning environment.

“The log cabin that has been constructed by students from North Notts College will be used as an outside classroom throughout the day and will also provide them with an area to play in at break times,” she said.

“Pupils have requested a raised pond, a tunnel, a watch tower, a story circle and a den building area as part of the project and they can’t wait for it all to be finished.”

She added: “Most importantly, pupils realise that, along with the funding from the School PTFA, none of this would have been possible without the support of the College. Their team have worked hard to provide top quality learning facilities that we wouldn’t have been able to provide otherwise. “

“The team have liaised closely with school to ensure that the project best meets the needs of pupils, the students from NNC have demonstrated the importance of working as a team and been positive role models during their time here.”

“This will all make such a difference to our pupils, as a school we are extremely privileged to have the opportunity of developing such great community spirit by working closely with NNC.”