A WINCHESTER special school has been given a financial boost to help develop its outdoor area.

Shepherds Down School, in Compton, was given a cheque for £450 by last year’s Hursley 10k team from funds raised during the cross-country event.

The money will be used to buy a new greenhouse to house the school’s gardening club.

It forms part of their outdoor project which will also see raised flower and vegetable beds – needed for wheelchair-bound pupils – as well as a special woodland area which will house ‘mini beasts’.

There will also be a sensory garden, with wind chimes and a water feature, which the school hopes to have finished by the end of next term.

Hilary Grimble, deputy head teacher, said: “We do rely on donations for things to make a real different to the children and this will certainly do that.

“If you look at what education fees it takes to run a school we need extra to help our children. The outside area is going to be really important,” she added.

“Our children learn through their senses and are very hands-on, learning from what they can touch, smell and taste.

“The sensory garden will also be like an oasis for parents to sit and be calm because it can be hard work for them too.”

The school has also celebrated the opening of its new Nighingales classroom.

On Tuesday (Mar 17), county councillor Roy Perry joined the executive member for education, cllr Peter Edgar, to witness the unveiling of the new extension – of which the county council invested £425,000.

The 85 sq m site includes new hygiene facilities, toilets and bed-changing facilities with hoist provisions, and improved outdoor learning spaces, a larger sheltered area, soft-play surfacing and redesigned paving.

Head teacher, Jane Sansome, said: “We now have a wonderful new classroom with hygiene area and outdoor provision which meets the needs of the children much more appropriately, and allows the staff more space to deliver the highly specialised curriculum.”