Mansfield’s Oak Tree Primary School held a planting event to celebrate the refurbishment of its courtyard area.

The newly-created outdoor learning space has transformed a tired area that had become unsuitable for children because of uneven surfaces.

Children’s charity Wooden Spoon supported the school by making a £12,000 donation towards the project.
The refurbished space means pupils have access to a well-designed, secure planting area to help them understand the living world around them.

Groundworks Mansfield, Ashfield and Creswell and Crestra designed the garden space, completed the works and devised the planting plan for the event.

The garden now contains a Japanese water feature, a refurbished pond with a fountain, and new planter beds.

The school’s eco warriors joined representatives from Wooden Spoon, the Groundworks, and the local fire service’s Blue Watch to complete the area by planting up the beds.

Bird boxes, bat boxes and insect homes were also erected.

Oak Tree head Sarah Moore said: “We love our new courtyard space. Without Wooden Spoon’s support we would not have been able to create it.

“We are happy with the work Groundwork have done for us.

“I cannot believe the difference they have made in a short period of time to completely redesign the space.”

John Cohen, regional chairman for Wooden Spoon Nottinghamshire, said: “Wooden Spoon changes the lives of thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children every year, with funds raised in local communities to support projects.”