Pupils at Baljaffray Primary School, Glasgow, can enjoy outdoor learning without fear of the often ‘dreich’ elements thanks to a generous collaboration between parents, teachers and Tarmac.
A generous donation from Tarmac’s Douglasmuir Quarry helped bolster the coffers for the new sheltered classroom so that children can sometimes be taught outside in the fresh air.
Emma Crook, of the Baljaffray Primary School PTA, said: “Previously there was no sheltered area for the children to continue to learn outside, often exposing pupils to the difficult weather elements we sometimes face in Scotland. A facility like this was desperately needed by the school.”
Tarmac, along with the Baljaffray Residents Association, Tesco Bags of Help, and The Bearsden North Community Council, provided grants towards the project. The PTA also raised a significant amount through a Just Giving fundraising page, through which parents and grandparents with kids at the school donated towards the project.
“With space for 35 students, the £9,000 shelter is big enough to accommodate any class we have in the school,” added Mrs Crook. “The benefits to children from participating in outdoor learning are huge and evidence-based, ranging from increased motivation to lower stress levels, improved behaviour, concentration and communication skills, as well as improved academic skills.
“Outdoor learning is also a Scottish Government initiative offering a wide range of opportunities for learning. It is embedded within the curriculum for excellence.
“The shelter has been getting good use by the pupils of Baljaffray Primary and we are very grateful to Tarmac for their generous donation to help this project become a reality.”
Derek Johnstone, Tarmac’s senior production manager, said: “We are delighted to see our money going towards improving the children’s learning experience in a sustainable way. We hope this superb facility continues to provide a stimulating environment for young minds for many years to come.”
