SCHOOL pupils are benefitting from new outdoor learning experiences after a forest environment was brought into use.

Every year group at Radcliffe Hall Church of England/Methodist Primary School will now have the opportunity to engage in forest school sessions.

The unused wooded area at the school in Bury Street was turned into a new learning space over October half-term.

Weekly sessions are being run by Summerseat-based firm CommuniTree, which provides outdoor education to help people of all ages connect with the natural world.

Last week, CommuniTree staff Scott Iliffe and Jess Halsey visited the school to run a range of forest games and outdoor activities for the pupils.

Lesson tasks included sawing wood, building dens, setting up hammocks and making s'mores — a campfire favourite in the United States and Canada, consisting of a fire-roasted marshmallow sandwiched between two chocolate biscuits.

Year 6 teacher Katherine Gothard, who has been instrumental in setting up the sessions, said: "We are excited to see our forest area taking shape and to have started our partnership with the fabulous CommuniTree.

"We held a forest school session as a treat for the Year 6 classes when they finished their SATs last year.

"This is the first time the sessions have been rolled out across the school for every class.

"It is about engaging children who do not always engage with the normal curriculum. It is giving them opportunities to do things they would not ordinarily do."

CommuniTree are visiting the school every week and running half-day forest school sessions with each class.

During the October half-term, CommuniTree carried out work at the school to improve the grounds and make them forest friendly.

They cleared rubbish, installed new wooden seating and brought the formerly overgrown and unused space into use.