Children at St. Stephen’s Catholic Primary School in Skipton are really excited  as they can now enjoy their new outside area which includes a ‘Secret Garden with a hobbit hole’, sand pit, texture kitchen and natural climbing structure.

This has been made possible with help from the Big Lottery Fund that awarded the school £9,430 to develop the outdoor area. 

Mrs Turvill, the Foundation Stage Lead, said, “This is now a stimulating and challenging outdoor area that will help the children to develop, including their physical, social and communication skills, all through play. 

The school want to share this fantastic area with the community and are holding an open afternoon for toddlers and pre-schoolers with their parents or careers on Thursday April 26 from 1pm - 3pm.  Crafts and refreshments will be available.  Please contact the school for more details. 

The play area was designed and built by Cool Canvas a firm who specialise in natural outdoor areas and have appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel 4.

Frank on the timber clamber structure.

 The Hobbit Hole has Frank, Cerys, Sienna, Liliana, Gracie and Zack.

The picture by the climbing structure has children from the Nursery, Aidy Astley, Paul Conway and Zac Coleman from Cool Canvas with Mrs Turvill, the Foundation Lead.