Thorncombe St Mary’s Primary School children now have their very own wildlife garden, which was opened by representatives from major donors Magna Housing Association.

With lots of help from parents and local project businesses, the school has created a wildlife pond, dipping platform, bird and butterfly planting, a meadow and habitat corners for mini beasts and hedgehogs.

The school is now planning to use the area in all aspects of learning, including art, science, maths, RE and literacy, and the children have been very interested in the project in all stages of its development.

School governor Amy Ralph said: “It has been a big thing to achieve by ourselves, but with funding from Magna and the Dorset Gardens Trust, and lots of help from knowledgeable and willing parents and volunteers, we’ve done it, and it has been a real team effort.

“I think the children and staff will really appreciate having such a great facility on their doorstep, and the wildlife is moving in already, which is very promising.”

With a quiet garden, a kitchen garden, a dragon ship, a storytelling corner, willow dens and a huge playing field, Thorncombe children are no strangers to the great outdoors.

Plans for the future include a CCTV bird box, a revamped vegetable garden and better links with Dorset Wildlife Trust.