A SCHOOL’S outdoor classroom now leads right out into some ‘enchanted woods’.

The magical learning environment has been created in Hepworth thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Children from Hepworth Junior and Infants School have the enchanted trail through neighbouring woods to give their lessons a new outdoor dimension.

The school received a £10,000 in grant in April to develop its outdoor learning and this week it threw open its doors to the community so people could see how the school had spent the money.

Headteacher Linda Goodall said: “Our children love their outdoor learning.

“It is essential because it makes their learning come alive and they can put everything they have learned into practice in the great outdoors.”

The school has been working with conservation company Wildbanks to create a variety of outdoor learning areas including wooden steps, a fire pit, seating circle and learning platform.

It has also been developing its vegetable growing areas.

Wooden sheds will also be bought to house outdoor clothing and equipment for children to use outdoors.

During the last half term, class three children have been working with artist-in-residence Samantha Bryan to create enchanted creatures, pixies and fairies from a variety of natural materials.

These have formed part of an exhibition in school and are on a trail through the enchanted wood.

Miss Goodall said the ongoing project had evolved with the support of staff at the school, including teaching assistant Heidi Heeley, who has undergone special environmental training, and teachers Mandy Smith, Maxine Hinchliffe and Alison Robery.

The project has been supported by parents and the whole community.