A NATURAL play area is being created at a village school near Kidderminster thanks to support from parents and local businesses.

The pocket of land at Wolverley Sebright Primary School has come available following the £500,000 remodelling of the buildings to create more classrooms and site a modular building for a new nursery, which opens after the Easter break.

Gemma Morgan, PTA joint secretary, said: “Outside space is so important for our physical and mental health, as this last 12 months has re-enforced.

"We are so grateful for the generous support of local businesses, which is allowing us to bring this pocket of land into good use.”

Landscaping and builders’ suppliers TG Hardwicks donated slabs, bark chippings, gravel and membrane and parent Gary Hawkins delivered tyres from his haulage firm.

The Worcestershire Education Network (WEN) has given £250, with another £250 donated from network member Dave Manser, of education furniture makers Witley Jones, whose son Oscar is a pupil.

Wall lighting is being supplied by WEN member Paul Sweeney, of Black Pear Electrical, and fellow member Felicity Robinson, from Landscapes Naturally, advised on how to create the area for year two pupils, which will include a mud kitchen and book nook.

Their teacher Vicki Harrison, who designed the play area, has led parents and even her dad, Bill Bell, in building it during the Easter holidays.

Shelley Reeves-Walters, headteacher, said: “We are a close community in Wolverley and the support of the businesses and hard work of the PTA bears testament to that.

"It will be a very special place for our year two children, bringing to life the vision of their class teacher.”

The school is a member the Severn Academies Educational Trust, which funded the remodelling to create seven large refurbished classrooms, with additional rooms for IT, music and intervention groups, as well as the modular nursery building with its own all-weather outdoor play area.