Personal Development Project

This week our pupils have been working hard on a project to develop the outdoor learning area and have designed and created a sensory path. 

Below is a picture of what the area looked like before we got started. 

During the first day pupils had to show great resilience and determination as they cleared the path and dug down to make room for the paths frame. The frame was made from old pallets that the boys carefully dismantled and then screwed together to create 5 equal sections. Pupils then used a spirit level to ensure the frame was perfectly level. 

On the second day the pupils needed to fill the sections with hardcore to create a sturdy foundation, mix up concrete and use sharp sand to prepare each section for its different decorative finish. 

The first section consisted of the brick pavers, which were laid on a level bed of sharp sand. The pupils created their own design and got Mr Bartlett to cut in half the bricks they needed to finish their design. They then filled the joints with kiln dried sand.   

Section 2 is made up of wooden rounds. The boys had to cut each piece to size and wedge them together in the space provided. It was surprising how many they needed to cut! This was laid on a bed of concrete. 

Section 3 had to be concreted and levelled before the boys were able to carefully sprinkle small white decorative stones on top. They then had to carefully use a piece of wood to tamp them down and sink them slightly into the concrete. 

Section 4 is made up for logs cut in half length ways. They have a very rustic look but still had to be cut down to size to fit into the frame work, so some very careful hand sawing was needed. These were then laid onto a concrete bed to prevent them from moving.

Last but not least, the final section was prepared with a concrete base ready for pebbles to be put into position, they were carefully placed by pupils to look aesthetically pleasing. 

Finally we had to cover the path up to protect it from the rain over night. 

Well done to all the boys involved, the path looks amazing. They should all feel so proud of what they have achieved. They even stayed after school to make sure it got completed.