Greenbank Preparatory School and Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme has officially unveiled its brand new Wild Area, a nature-inspired outdoor space designed to encourage imaginative play, creativity and outdoor learning for pupils and Holiday Club children alike.
The new area was officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Greenbank Headteacher Malcolm Johnson, Sophie McCumesky, Founder of Practically Family, and Autumn and her family; the Year 5 pupil whose winning design was chosen for the project’s commemorative plaque.
The Wild Area Project was developed in partnership with local Holiday Club provider Practically Family, who approached the school with the idea as part of their commitment to investing in the wider school community and creating meaningful outdoor experiences for children. Inspired by ideas generated by the school’s Eco Council and voted for by Greenbank pupils themselves, the transformed area now includes a new outdoor seating area, a climbing wall, mud kitchens and even a mud bath, storage for den-building materials, a bug hotel and a large bee mural celebrating the project’s sustainability theme.
Pupils also voted for a balanced space made from wooden stepping stones and a hammock-style space for relaxing, reading and switching off beneath the trees.
The project carries a strong environmental message, with recycled and donated materials used throughout the build alongside bee-friendly planting and habitats designed to help children better understand the natural world and the importance of caring for the environment.
Speaking at the opening, Greenbank Headteacher Malcolm Johnson said: “This project has been a wonderful example of what can happen when schools, children, families and local organisations work together creatively. The Wild Area will give our pupils a fantastic space to explore, imagine, play and connect with nature for many years to come. We are incredibly grateful to Practically Family for their generosity, hard work and commitment to our school community.”
Sophie McCumesky, Founder of Practically Family, added: “At Practically Family, we’ve always believed we should be more than simply providers using school spaces during the holidays. We want to invest in the schools and communities we’re part of and create opportunities that benefit children all year round. Seeing the children finally explore a space they helped inspire has been really special, and we hope this Wild Area becomes the backdrop for lots of muddy adventures, creativity and childhood memories.”
The Wild Area will now be enjoyed by both Greenbank pupils during term time and by Practically Family Clubbers during school holidays, giving children year-round access to a shared outdoor space for exploration, creativity and play.
Location: Cheadle Hulme, Stockport
