Bracknell

Children at Birch Hill Primary School in Bracknell are looking forward to lessons in two brand new classrooms.

The new Bracknell classrooms, complete with fixtures and fittings, have been created from what was previously open plan space and will be ready for use by Year 2 children within the next couple of weeks.

The classrooms were toured by Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Education and Libraries and Rt. Hon. Andrew MacKay, MP for Bracknell, when they visited the school.

The visitors were taken around the Leppington school by headteacher Alan Harding who also showed them the special nature zone in the school grounds.

This area includes a pond and has been allowed to become overgrown for the past two or three years to attract insects and other creepy crawlies that the children can learn about at first hand.

There are also mini-hides and tables to enable the children to work in the area which was paid for by funds raised by the school's parent-teacher association, staff and governors.

Alan Harding said: "The wildlife area is very popular with the children who love spending time there pond-dipping or looking at the 'bug hotels' they have built.

"It's a pleasant place to be and a great way for them to start learning about the natural world.

"And we are just as delighted with the two new classrooms which provide another excellent new learning space.

"I am grateful to Cllr Ward and Andrew MacKay for visiting us - we all enjoyed having them."

Bracknell Cllr Ward said: "We were impressed with the enthusiasm of the children and the staff we met at Birch Hill.

"The two new classrooms are an important addition to the school and I know the children will benefit greatly.

"We were also delighted to visit the school's nature area which is an excellent facility that teaches the children to become aware of the world around them."

For more information about Birch Hill Primary School visit: www.birchhill.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council