A WILD area of underused playground would be transformed into a sensory garden and outdoor classroom under plans drawn up by West Witney Primary School.

If the school wins the Oxford Mail and Leadbitter Group’s SOS School Build competition, the £7,500 worth of building work will be used to create the garden.

The school already has allotments and an eco greenhouse made from recycled plastic bottles, and the new designs have been drawn up by children in the school’s eco-club.

The garden would mean classes could go outside for lessons all year round and boost the school’s green credentials.

Teacher Jessica Wyatt said: “Someone saw a show on television about a project like this, and thought it would be a fantastic idea for the school.

“We have already used 1,500 plastic bottles to create the greenhouse, and the eco-council is constantly looking at recycling and saving energy.

“What we want now is an outdoor classroom. We have a lovely outdoors area, but we want to make the most of it.

“The children have been so enthusiastic about it and parents have got on board as well. We’ve made a good start collecting tokens.”

The project is also backed by the school’s Friends Association and The Woodland Trust, which has been working with the school to develop its grounds.

Ben Hoare, nine, said: “I think the new garden would be good for children who come here.

“We want lots of nice flowers that will smell really nice and to grow vegetables to eat as well.”

Louis Green, nine, said: “It is a nice area, but it will be much nicer with the garden there. I like it when we have outdoor lessons, and it will be really colourful.”

Classmate Iwan Roberts, nine, added: “I think a lot of people will like it because it will look so nice, and it will let us have more lessons outside.”

The garden would also be used by the new Witney Children’s Centre, next door to the school.

Other potential users include a group of disabled children and their families, who would be able to visit the sensory garden during their support sessions at the centre.

  • support the school’s bid for the prize, send your vouchers to West Witney Primary School, Edington Road, Witney, OX28 5FZ