A HEREFORDSHIRE school says it is thrilled as it opens a special new classroom.

Much Birch CE Primary School, between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, said its new outdoor learning area has been formally opened by the school's parent, teacher and friends association and local vicar Rev Mark Johnson.

A spokesperson for the school, which has around 190 pupils, said it was lucky to have an amazing forest school area gifted by the family of some grandparents of current pupils.

OTHER NEWS:

"This forest school area has now been improved further by the addition of a beautiful, bespoke outdoor learning canopy area," they added.

"The area can seat a whole class and will be used for both forest school and across the curriculum for all ages."

The school said it will offer forest school sessions to every year group every week and the area would enhance the school's award-winning provision to focus on togetherness and community.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Ross-on-Wye news? It's easy, just sign up for our weekly email newsletter here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.

The canopy is vented so that the fire can be lit in all weathers, and the school's pupils love to bake apples, bread and toast marshmallows, the spokesperson added.

"We would like to thank our supportive parents, the PTFA and our fantastic forest school team. Mrs Robbins, the forest school lead, has tirelessly led this project and we are so grateful that our school can enhance our children's outdoor provision even further with this fantastic asset," they said.