Over the coming weeks, pupils, parents and visitors may notice a new Learning Through Landscapes sign appearing in the school reception – marking the start of an exciting programme of outdoor learning and environmental projects.

The grant has already made a difference to the school grounds, with funding provided for new equipment to enhance outdoor play. Hammocks, now a popular feature of Forest School, and a number of wooden benches have been introduced in the Foundation Stage outdoor area and on the grass beside the playground.

The equipment has been carefully chosen to encourage children to develop a range of skills through play, including creativity, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and physical development.

Environmental learning has also been put firmly on the agenda. Bloxham Primary's newly elected Eco-Reps have been getting to grips with a climate surveying pack, which contains equipment for measuring temperature, rainfall and wind speed around the school site.

Their investigations have already produced some surprising results. One discovery was the striking difference in temperature between a black bucket placed in direct sunlight and one positioned in the shade – a simple experiment that demonstrated the impact of our surroundings on temperature.

The Eco-Reps will soon put their new skills to further use when they complete an online climate survey of the school grounds. The information gathered could help the school make future decisions about managing the site and improving its resilience to increasingly extreme weather conditions.

The grant is supporting staff as well as pupils. Teachers took part in a professional development session led by a Learning Through Landscapes facilitator, focusing on how outdoor spaces can be used effectively as an extension of the classroom. Staff can also access a programme of online webinars and a resource library to develop their ideas and confidence.

With outdoor learning already something the children enjoy, the school hopes the programme will lead to even more opportunities for pupils to learn, explore and investigate outside.

From measuring the weather to solving problems on the playground, Bloxham Primary is discovering that sometimes the best classroom has no walls at all.