Pupils at St. Dominic’s Primary School in Airdrie are embracing a new outdoor learning space, thanks to community benefits delivered through North Lanarkshire Council’s new-build council housing programme.

The initiative, part of the council's housing development at Petersburn Road, saw the installation of an eco unit next to the school, enhancing pupils' engagement with the natural environment and supporting outdoor education.

The project was delivered in partnership with McTaggart Construction, the contractor for the adjacent housing site, who collaborated closely with the school to realise their vision of a dedicated outdoor learning area. The versatile space will also serve as a base for the school's Eco-Club and an additional classroom for activities such as art and music.

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Recognising the need for appropriate equipment to make the space fully functional, the council’s City Deal contractor, Soil Engineering, stepped in to provide learning materials and furnishings, transforming the unit into a dynamic and enjoyable learning hub.

Letitia O'Rourke, Acting Head Teacher at St. Dominic's Primary and Nursery, said: "We are very grateful for the donation of the outdoor classroom from McTaggart Construction and the outdoor learning equipment from Soil Engineering. It will allow all our pupils the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning activities more readily. This will offer us numerous benefits, impacting cognitive, social, emotional and physical wellbeing. Our pupils are already more motivated to develop their understanding of the natural world."

Ross Hammell, CSR Manager at McTaggart Construction, added: "McTaggart are delighted to have been able to provide the cabin to St Dominic’s as part of our wider Community Benefit programme. This was aligned to our goals of providing tangible benefit to the local area beyond the bricks and mortar of high quality NLC new build affordable housing. Providing the portacabin is aligned to our educational outreach goals as it will support outdoor and alternative learning in the school and hopefully inspire the next generation of the construction workforce."