CHILDREN at Lawn Primary School and Nursery can gather round the firepit and toast marshmallows after a new forest school area was built.

The facility, officially opened last month by Mayor of Swindon Abdul Amin, was created free of charge by the company owned by one of the parents.

That meant the school could use all the money from a PE grant that it had put aside for the project, on a new trim rail in one of the playgrounds.

Project manager Lisa Fry said: "We were approached by one of our parents, Nick Underwood who owns a local company called SAS Rope and Rail who very kindly offered to undertake all the work free of charge.

"The new forest school looks amazing, with lots of natural areas and hedges for both bugs and children to explore! We also have a wonderful firepit area with seating and a canopy to keep us dry.

She added: "All of us at Lawn Primary and Nursery School are extremely grateful to everyone at SAS Rope and Rail who has given so much of their time to help us create this amazing area and we can’t wait to start enjoying it!"

Forest School activities provide the pupils with a different educational experience which will benefit them in a variety of different ways.

It allows them the opportunity to explore, take supported risks, experience success and to develop self-esteem and confidence through hands on learning in the woodland.

The pupils will take part in a variety of challenging, motivating tasks which will give them the opportunity to develop their learning.

Forest School lessons include activities like collecting natural materials, scavenger hunts, natural art, shelter building, using knots and lashing, fire lighting, tree investigation, bug hunts, climbing, woodwork and team games.