TESTIMONIAL

“Not only can we use our garden room as an additional outside classroom, it’s a great area to have meetings with the teachers, and parents. We are all delighted with our new space.” Mrs Kathy Kershaw, Cert. Ed. Headteacher

“The children love the garden room – and so do we! It’s brilliant extra space and sits perfectly with our Eco-Garden. The pupils really benefit, and this is important to us.” Mrs Jayne Britten, Bursar

LOCATION

Rowan Hill Preparatory School, Claygate, Esher, Surrey

PURPOSE OF THE GARDEN BUILDING

The outdoor classroom is multi-purpose and provides both teachers and pupils a wonderful space. Situated next to the school’s Eco-Garden, it sits perfectly. Whether teachers use the room to have meetings with parents, or pupils use it to review what they have just learnt outside, it’s a space that has given the school an additional classroom that is always in use!

Designed for multiple-use, the outdoor classroom layout internally was kept minimal. The children were involved at the beginning, learning the importance of the sustainable materials being used and how the room would come together. They were also involved in the interior design and requested cubed bean bags as seating, along with the teacher’s requests for store cupboards so the classroom can always be kept tidy for the next use.

The music team has also found a new home! Before there were not enough rooms to spread out small musical groups, however the outside classroom has allowed the Instrumental Club to play music at any time.

The garden classroom provides extra learning space for the children, plus a practical room for the teachers. Here are some examples of how the school utilises their new room:

• Open Day for parents – a social event that uses both the room and decking
• Teacher meetings
• Extra-curricular classes such as the music groups
• Outdoor learning – studying nature outside (using the Eco Garden and pond) and discussing inside

KEY FEATURES

• Recycled Welsh slate roof with solar-powered motorised roof windows
• Large 4.8m wide bi-folding doors opening onto deck area

Green Studios provides eco-friendly, light and airy outdoor classrooms for schools across the country. Take a look at our full range of educational buildings from Green Modular. If your school is short of space and you need a top quality yet cost effective eco-classroom in your grounds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

See how the outdoor classroom was built at St Catherine’s Prep School: