Pupils at Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School in Caerleon have enjoyed getting back to nature in new ways thanks to new outdoor facilities installed as part of the community project led by local Redrow graduate, Sarah Smith.
The community initiative is a key part of our graduate programme, and Sarah led the project during half-term so that the children could enjoy the new facilities when they came back.
Staff at the school kindly sent us these photos of the children enjoying the new facilities which include a mud kitchen, planters and a living wall.
Sarah approached the school, which is near our Parc y Coleg site where we will begin developing 219 homes later this year.
She then enlisted the help of suppliers including Swansea-based Gwyn Davies Carpentry and Pontypool-based landscapers, Gwent Gardens. Helped by the Parc y Coleg construction manager, Matt Coyle, and our carpentry apprentice, John Ball, the team also installed ten wooden stumps from the site which is currently being prepared for building to start. These will be used as seating for the children’s Forest School.
The objective was to create nature-based educational resources from recycled and sustainable materials to promote wildlife, their environments and habitats and to build local relationships between Redrow and the local community.
Over the half-term holiday the mud kitchen was added to the reception play area, including a planter set with herbs and other pollinators to encourage sensory and interactive role play through the sights and smells of the plants and the wildlife they attract.
Image: Pupils enjoying the new facilities at Charles Williams Primary School in Caerleon
Three new planters were built from recycled materials for the Year 5 and 6 play area, and a living wall now creates colour and interest in the Year 3 and 4 playground.
A range of herbs, pollinators and fruit trees and bushes were also provided for the children to plant and label when they returned after half-term.
“We’re thrilled to have teamed up with the PTFA’s Green Grounds team who were brilliant to work with, and we’re so grateful to our fantastic suppliers who really pitched in,” explained Sarah.
“We really appreciate the time, effort and investment from the Redrow team, Gwyn Davies Carpentry and Gwent Gardens, and the children are already enjoying their new outdoor facilities,” said Ms Penn, Head Teacher at Charles Williams Primary.
Construction Manager, Matt said Redrow hopes to work with the school and other community organisations in the future as construction begins.
“We believe good developments contribute positively to local areas in many ways,” he said.
“One of our core values is creating thriving communities, and we don’t just mean those we build, but the communities we join, too. This project feels like a good start to playing our part in the Caerleon community!”
Image: Pupils in front of the living wall
Parc y Coleg, a development of 219 homes, is on the former University of South Wales campus in Caerleon. Redrow is converting the grade-II listed Edwardian building which features in Netflix’s hit series, Sex Education.
This, plus its two lodges, also listed, and a further property within the site, will be restored and converted into 49 homes, alongside 170 new-builds ranging from one- bedroom apartments to four- bedroom family houses, and including 22 affordable homes. The historic gate piers will also be retained.
In line with the Redrow approach to placemaking, the design will make the most of its beautiful gardens, with green open spaces, landscaped areas and excellent pedestrian and cycle connectivity.
Preparatory demolition works for the first phase are underway with construction expected to start in September and the first homes expected to be available for sale next year.
