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High achievers: Left to right are pupils Avleen Dhavan, Alia Farooq, Aris Riaz and Taiyab Ejaz.
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Learning has hit a new high
31/ 5/2008
AN OLDHAM primary school has taken outdoor learning to new heights – with classes being taken on the roof!
Pupils at Clarksfield Primary are taking full advantage of a flat roof above the school kitchens where a ‘garden lawn’ has been planted.
During warmer weather, the youngsters will use the outdoor classroom as a different and stimulating area to learn in.
Headteacher Trish O’Donnell believes the new feature provides a great opportunity to teach the children about the environment.
"Our green roof has created great interest and excitement among both our pupils and teachers," she said. "It provides us with an excellent interactive learning tool and is a truly innovative way to teach children about the environment.
"We’re looking forward to making good use of the classroom in the summer, as well as being able to see first hand the changes that occur throughout the seasons.
"This is the first school in the area to have a green roof and the finished result is fantastic," she added.
The roof is accessed from a short stairway and surrounded by a wrought iron fence for safety. It absorbs CO2, causes lower ambient temperatures within buildings and the surrounding area to reduce the need for air conditioning, helps minimise the risk of flash flooding and is a habitat for wildlife.
The roof was donated for free by Wigan-based Permanite Engineered Roofing Systems, as part of a wider school refurbishment scheme funded by the council and delivered by local firm Fulwood Roofing.
Green roofs are in extensive use in the USA and Europe and becoming common at new residential and commercial developments across the country.
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