AN ANDOVER primary school is making use of its brand new tipi classroom, which has now been erected in its field.

As previously reported, Balsksbury Federation, on Floral Way, decided to make use of its currently unused junior school playing field by putting up a tipi , a type of tent, to use as an outdoor classroom.

The durable structure was erected by a professional company, on wooden base, and covered in waterproof, fire-treated canvas fabric.

It is now open, and being used across the Infant and Junior schools.

A spokesperson for the school said: “This weatherproof tipi enables enriching outdoor learning opportunities through promoting the value of the federation’s enriched school grounds with a bespoke accessible board walk from the footpath.

“The new tipi has already allowed the promotion of health and wellbeing for both children and adults by providing a space away from the classroom for Special Educational Needs children to increase opportunities for holistic development.”

They continued: “Exciting plans are already underway, to use the spacious tipi to increase opportunities for fostering relationships across the wider community, such as developing a parent and toddler yoga group for future and existing families.”

L:ast month, members of Andover Town Council’s planning committee offered no objection to the proposals, with Cllr Luigi Gregori commenting: “I think it’s a brilliant idea! I fully support it.”

The proposal was then approved by Test Valley Borough Council.

The school’s main building was built in 1966, with various extensions built between 1999-2003. It currently has 349 pupils.