Moray school takes learning outdoors

AN OUTDOOR classroom has been created in the grounds of a Moray secondary.

Pupils at Elgin Academy designed the new facility, as well as a garden, to provide an alternative learning environment and to improve student wellbeing.

Support came from Robertson Northern, along with a grant of £1500 from Education Scotland’s Food for Thought: Education Fund.

Head teacher Kyle Scott said: "As well as providing a space which will enhance the wellbeing of our students, our new garden and outdoor classroom can be used by various departments to make lessons more engaging and interactive.

"Indeed, our home economics department is already planning on using the vegetable garden to teach students how to create their own healthy meals from food they’ve grown themselves."

Robertson Northern is currently building 44 homes for Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association close to the Elgin secondary.

So the company was able to engage its supply chain to deliver the initiative for the school by supplying the following materials: Billy Miller, concrete base, materials and plant; McDonald and Munro, gutters and downpipes; Cairn Joinery, timber for wall panels and roof and Howdens Joinery, kitchen units.

Frank Reid, managing director of Robertson Northern, said: "We have always had a strong partnership with Elgin Academy and this has been one of our most enjoyable projects to date.

"It’s been a great experience for our team to work closely with the students to help bring their design ideas to life and support those who are interested in developing their skills.

"We’d also like to thank our supply chain who have helped us to ensure the Academy got the most value out of the funding they had secured.”

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