WINNING the chance to build a dream outdoor classroom at St Christopher’s, Cowley, would cap an incredible year, says headteacher Alison Holden.

In 2009 the school was judged inadequate by Ofsted inspectors, and placed into special measures.

After two years of hard work, it passed a new inspection in April, and morale at St Christopher’s has never been higher.

Mrs Holden said she wanted to cap the school’s success by winning the £7,500 of building work.

She said: “Having just emerged from special measures, there is a renewed vitality and enthusiasm from the staff, the children, parents and local community. This would be huge for all of us.

“All the parts of the curriculum are included in the design. There is role-playing, storytelling, maths and wildlife habitats. It is really exciting.”

A magical storytellers’ garden would let children sit underneath a canopy, while stepping stones will help them conceptualise different stages of their stories.

An enchanted wood, willow tunnel, fairy bridge and pirate ship will fire their imaginations and a puppet theatre would let them put on shows for literacy lessons.

A treasure map would be used in geography lessons and a human sundial will help explain the rotation of the earth.

Long-term plans include a vegetable patch, a sensory garden and a model of the solar system.

Teacher Michele Harris, who drew up the plans, said: “The development of this area is very important to us.

“Many of our children find the classroom environment challenging, however it has been observed that in different surroundings these children can really shine and progress.”

Parents have volunteered to clear the area in the summer and fundraise for materials, but Miss Harris said the prize would let the project be done so much quicker and to a much higher standard.

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk l To support the bid, send your vouchers to St Christopher’s C of E Primary School, Temple Road, Cowley, OX4 2HB.