Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy’s brand-new outdoor educational area is a huge success with children.

Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy has completed an £84,000 transformation of an outdoor area used by their early years and foundation stage children.

The new facilities hold many new areas of interest for youngsters to both learn and play and was funded by the school’s multi-academy trust, The Flying High Partnership.

Samantha Leek is Head Teacher at the school, and she explained that the new facilities offer areas for teaching and learning, as well as children’s enjoyment. “At Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy we are proud to provide the children with a brand new and engaging outdoor area that provides additional teaching opportunities and interest for children.

“Our outdoor area offers children a range of stimulating resources and equipment that fosters investigative learning and supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Our outdoor area is split into several different areas: sand, water, small world, literacy, maths, reading, physical, sensory and perform. The continuous provision in these areas help children to develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally, – enhancing their problem-solving skills and social interaction.”

Pupil Alex, age 5 said, “I like the writing area because there are whiteboards on top of our tables. I like to write people’s names on lists to invite them to my parties!” Madison, age 5 said, “I like having tea parties with my friends in the water area. We can use the squirty bottles to write letters onto the floor.

Ben is 5 years old and said, “I like the obstacle course and the monkey bars. I am trying really hard to do them all by myself.”
Construction and problem-solving areas are a favourite of children and Harry, age 4 said, “I build lots of things in the construction area with the tools and the bricks. I have built a theme park before, it was amazing!” Reggie, age 5 said, “The sand is the best! I build sandcastles in there.”