The Mayor’s visit marked a special milestone for the school following the successful ‘Fresh Face of Frisby’ project, which saw members of the school and village community come together with staff from Allison Homes over the summer to transform the school’s outdoor spaces. 

During his visit, Councillor Jim Adcock explored the newly refreshed areas and heard about the exciting plans the school has for using the space to support outdoor learning, Forest School activities, environmental education and pupil-led projects. 

The school was particularly pleased to have the Mayor officially open the space, recognising the importance of the project not only to the children at Frisby CofE Primary School but to the wider village community. 

Charmaine Ainge, Headteacher at Frisby CofE Primary School, said: 

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Councillor Jim Adcock, the Mayor of Melton, to Frisby CofE Primary School and have him officially open our newly refurbished pond and Forest School area. We are extremely grateful that he took the time to visit us, see the transformation for himself and hear about our plans for the future. 

“The project has been a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a community comes together. We are incredibly proud of our school and our village, and we are so excited about the opportunities these outdoor spaces will now provide for our pupils.” 

The ‘Fresh Face of Frisby’ project involved volunteers getting stuck into a variety of jobs, including weeding, digging, raking, painting fences and maintaining the outdoor areas. The hard work of the school community, local residents and Allison Homes staff has created a welcoming environment ready for children to explore and learn in. 

Revd. David Harknett, Foundation Governor at Frisby CofE Primary School, said: 

“We were delighted to welcome the Mayor to Frisby C of E Primary School and very grateful to Councillor Jim Adcock for taking the time to officially open our new outdoor space. His visit was a wonderful way to celebrate what has been achieved through the commitment of our school and village community. 

“The transformation is a fantastic example of community spirit in action. These spaces will provide our pupils with opportunities to learn about nature, develop practical skills and take responsibility for caring for their environment.” 

Exciting plans for the future 

While the newly refurbished pond and Forest School area are now ready to be enjoyed, the school is already looking ahead to how the space can be developed further. 

Future plans include establishing a pupil eco-team, introducing bee-keeping and potentially harvesting the school’s very own honey. The school also hopes to grow its own fruit, vegetables and other produce, giving pupils the opportunity to harvest ingredients and use them in recipes. 

These activities will support children's understanding of nature, biodiversity, sustainability, food production and healthy living, while providing valuable hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom. 

The school would like to extend its sincere thanks to Councillor Jim Adcock, the Mayor of Melton, for visiting Frisby CofE Primary School and officially opening the newly transformed outdoor space. 

The school would also like to thank Allison Homes, members of the Frisby community and everyone from the school community who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to the ‘Fresh Face of Frisby’ project. 

Together, they have created much more than a refreshed school garden. They have helped create a space where children can explore, discover, learn and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. 

Frisby CofE Primary School is excited to see its new outdoor learning space come to life and looks forward to continuing to develop it for the benefit of pupils and the wider Frisby-on-the-Wreake community. 

Would you or your organisation like to support Frisby CofE Primary School in Frisby on the Wreake? We'd love to hear from you.  

Contact: 01664 434429 | office@frisby.risemat.co.uk | https://www.frisbyprimary.co.uk/