Nature at heart of new school

A new school project in Wales has given us the opportunity to put nature at the very heart of the development.

Garden spaces in the existing school in Newtown, Powys, are an important part of the children’s learning environment.

So it was important that the new school created different spaces in the landscape for learning, playing and reflection.

We looked at the way the school operated and developed a landscape concept which includes space for Forest School activities, games and learning in small groups.

Our design provides flexible spaces with different characters and purposes. There are planted enclosures with sensory planting, interesting paths to provide access to all through play spaces and we have designed the edges to be formed by habitat areas.

We have suggested a palette of materials and planting to shape and inform different uses. Around the school and within the learning gardens are single species hedges to create structured spaces to help with focus and concentration.

We have also suggested specimen trees such as Copper Beech and Liquidambar to create focal points with seasonal colour and striking canopies to help with way-finding.

Along the edges of the site, meadow planting and woodland shrubs create habitat areas and forest schools, while around the school the rain gardens collect surface water while also creating a ribbon of planting, breaking up outdoor classrooms from play areas.

We’ve even included raised beds in our landscape design for children to grow their own plants.