A PRIMARY school in Cirencester plans to reinstate an old pond to create a peaceful place to aid learning and well-being.
Powells Primary School has a very overgrown inaccessible pond on their site which has been closed off by barriers for years.
Headteacher Helen Cooper decided to act on this and set a plan to renovate the area.
The first phase of the work started in October and the second phase of planting will commence in May.
Designs have been made to create a shallow area so the children can go up to the water's edge and explore this exciting habitat.
This project will help educate the pupils and the wider community about ecology and silviculture.
The school hopes it will encourage more wildlife and diverse vegetation to the area.
Teachers plan to use the pond in many lessons including subjects such as science, habitats and creative writing.
They have already bought an array of pond-related books for the children to read.
Well-being is a big part of this project as it will provide an outdoor learning space to support the pupils' mental health and well-being away from the classroom.
Lucy Marriot, Powells teacher and lead on the Powells Pond Project, said: "Re-establishing the school pond will encourage a range wildlife to thrive within our school grounds.
"It's an opportunity for our children to have first-hand observation of habitats and encourage a love for nature."
She has high hopes for the renovation and thinks it will be "absolutely beautiful" once it has finished.
The primary school teacher revealed there have been talks about installing a camera by the pond to capture animal activity during the day and night.
To fund this project the school has received grants and have launched a fundraising page on Crowd Fund Cotswolds.
They have hosted a variety of events including the school fete to raise money for the project.
Many pupils have recently drawn their portraits on tea towels to raise money for the pond.
The money will go towards making a new perimeter fence to make the pond safe and secure, to install a buoyancy aid and in developing a health and safety policy.
To find out more visit shorturl.at/cjrI5
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