Landed Estates business Bradford Estates has transformed outdoor learning at a Staffordshire village school by funding and installing a new reading area designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
The £25,000 project has created a dedicated outdoor learning space featuring a bespoke reading pod, covered canopy at seating areas at St Mary’s CE First Academy in Wheaton Aston.
The surrounding harden has also been landscaped, with safe, accessible pathways as well as newly-planted lavender and shrubs. Pupils will take responsibility for caring for the space by watering and maintaining the garden.
The project forms part of Bradford Estates’ school learning programme, which supports neighbouring primary schools across Sheriffhales, Bishop’s Wood and Church Eaton.
Executive Chairman Alexander Newport said: “We are delighted to have supported St Mary’s CE First Academy in creating this new outdoor reading area. Seeing the pupils’ excitement at the ribbon cutting was a real highlight, and we hope the space will inspire a lifelong love of reading for years to come.
“This project follows the trim trail we installed at the school in 2023 and reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting education across our local community.”
Trust Head Teacher Jen Watts said: “A huge thank you to Bradford Estates for transforming the space into a fantastic outdoor learning space. The reading area is a continuation of our library and will help to increase the children’s love of learning and reading, providing a safe space for the students to learn and benefit from the fresh air and outdoor space. It is wonderful to see them become truly immersed in reading.”
Bradford Estates Construction Director Graham Young added: “It’s been a pleasure to work closely with the school throughout the design and delivery of this project. We wanted to create a space that was practical and safe, but also somewhere the children would genuinely enjoy spending time in, whatever the weather. Seeing the pupils’ faces on the day it opened made all the planning worthwhile, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping St Mary’s inspire a love of reading in its pupils.”
The initiative has been further helped by Staffordshire charity Blymill School Trust has funded the fitting of heating and lighting to ensure the pod can be used all year round, as well as bean bags, books and interior furnishings.
