A PRIMARY school is marking the big return to face-to-face classes with a major renovation project.

The diggers have arrived at CET’s Yanwath Primary School in Eden to transform an overgrown area of the school grounds known as the ‘Wild West’.

The idea is to create an outdoor space to encourage children to get away from their screens and enjoy nature.

The nurture garden will be used by the whole school and wider community and is a project being run by the Yanwath Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and has won support from local businesses.

Metcalfe’s Plant Hire in Penrith has started clearing the site of more than 40 years of debris and plans to re-shape the area and put down topsoil to allow children to grow their own plants.

They’ll be taking out dead trees, and for every tree that is removed, another five will be planted. They will also be installing a new fence of specially-treated timber after the old, rotting one was removed by the PTA and their families.

Headteacher Cate Floyd said: “After the year everyone has had it’s never been more important to have a useable outdoor space for the children to explore and enjoy.

“Our PTA has been brilliant in wanting to take on this major project and we cannot thank enough the local businesses who have come on board to support us. It’s going to make such a difference.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the school via email.