GARDENING enthusiasts from Winsley Primary School have purchased a potting shed to enhance outdoor learning following a grant from the Wiltshire Gardens Trust.

As part of a £560 grant from the WGT, the school was able to purchase a new 10ft by 6ft shed as part of its ongoing effort to teach pupils more about the environment, planting and growing flowers and vegetables.

Education co-ordinator for the WGT charity, Juliet Wilmott, was at the school last Wednesday for the unveiling of the potting shed and presented pupils with a commemorative plaque.

Debbie Cheshire, who is responsible for outdoor learning throughout the school, was delighted with the new outdoor learning facility.

“It’s a splendid new potting shed,” said teaching assistant Mrs Cheshire. “Winsley School is delighted with this gift and wish to thank the trust for their generosity.

“It’s a wonderful facility to have and the children absolutely loved it. They really enjoy working in the shed which can enhance their learning.”

Mrs Wilmott said: “The children were busy potting away and had a lovely time. It is wonderful to see young people getting so involved and it’s very encouraging to see them learning about it with such enthusiasm.

“Schools here find it very useful I think. It is a real pleasure to help out with these things when we can.”

Every Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Cheshire takes groups of school pupils out for nature trails and learning about their environment but sought to further their enthusiasm for learning so she applied for a grant from the WGT.

Her goal was to purchase a potting shed so that in inclement weather the pupils wouldn’t be forced back into the classroom and instead could have a dry outdoor space.