Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, has opened a new ‘Friendship Garden’ in St Stephens School in Saltash. The outdoor learning environment is an important part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The newly refurbished area has been specifically designed to enhance the educational value of the outdoors. It allows the children to develop skills in all areas of the curriculum. The natural elements of the garden help to create a calm and purposeful learning space where children can play and explore with their friends.
Sheryll Murray said, “The school has been waiting for a while for this transformation and are now very proud of the learning environment, which includes a sand and water garden, growing area, construction area and more besides. I was delighted to join the children in the sand and water garden and I am sure this will provide a fantastic learning environment for many years to come. Visiting St Stephens was very special for me as my own Headmaster at Millbrook School, the late Roy Boston, was a former teacher at St Stephens and the two schools had a close connection during my primary school years.”
The school explained, “Children from St Stephens’ and Cross Park pre-school will benefit from accessing the new space. Each area promotes a variety of skills; personal and social development and communication skills, problem solving and tem building and improving the children’s understanding of the world around them. The children have already enjoyed planting vegetables, building in the construction are and having fun trying to get the water to flow in the sand and water garden; a must for children and adults alike!”
ENDS
Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428
Pictured: Sheryll opening the area