Forest-inspired outdoor classroom results in a Green Flag accolade for school's efforts

UNUSED LAND WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A LEARNING AREA BASED ON THE OUTDOORS

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

PUPILS at a Derbyshire school have been recognised for their commitment to the environment after helping transform an unused patch of land into a thriving forest learning area.

Elmsleigh Infant and Nursery School, on Queens Drive in Swadlincote, has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award in recognition of its ongoing environmental work - much of it driven by the children themselves.

Every class is represented on the school’s Eco Council, with pupils playing a key role in shaping green initiatives across the school. Members helped design the new forest learning area and have watched it develop into a space where children can explore nature, learn outdoors and build confidence through play.

The woodland is already inspiring a new generation of environmentalists and explorers.

Riley, a member of the Eco Council, said: “I want to be an explorer and travel the world when I grow up, finding all the cute animals.”

He added that he enjoys watching programmes featuring Sir David Attenborough and Steve Backshall and loves discovering wildlife in the school’s forest area.

“I've already found an earwig and a butterfly,” he said.