A primary school in Macclesfield has a new pond to boost learning and aid local wildlife.

Bollinbrook CE Primary School, of Abbey Road, applied for a grant from the Co-op to improve their outdoor area.

The new pond has been popular with flies. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Pupils get 90 minutes of outdoor play a week, on top of their regular break times, so the space is very much appreciated and is always rife for improvement.

In late 2022, the Co-op in Macclesfield gave £1462 towards improving their the school's area.

Bollinbrook Primary School can be contacted on 01625 789089. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Fast-forward to today, and almost all of that money has been spent, with the latest investment being a brand new wildlife pond, which has been loved by insects and infants alike.

Despite the new body of water being just days old, the new pond is already attracting nature and educating children on wildlife in the flesh.

The project was partially funded by the Co-op Local Community Fund. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Eva Robinshaw, who is the forest school leader and a teaching assistant at Bollinbrook, has organised the programme to attract bugs, frogspawn and much more.

"The idea behind having a pond is to have another habitat within the woodlands", Eva said.

The 4-11 school is located on Abbey Road. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"The only thing we really thought was lacking was a water source.

"There's all sorts of wildlife already. So it's another little haven for lots of things."

The school has 133 followers on Facebook. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Bollinbrook have used the pond and outdoor spendings to educate the students on the different plants and animals that inhabit the outdoor area of the school.

The education programme uses a pond dipping kit, in which there is a white tray and a scoop to collect water to study.

Students have an ID sheet to fill in of all the things they spot, which spans across all age groups.

"It's incredible how in one scoop of water, there is that much in there", Eva added.

"Every year group gets an hour-and-a-half outdoor play session a week. We teach that it is okay to get muddy.

"It ties in with science, the life cycle and all sorts of things, so considering we've only been doing it for a few weeks, it's been amazing."

Bollinbrook pupils have a very close relationship with nature as they are encouraged by all staff to spend a lot of time outdoors.

In the past, they have even helped plant trees outside their school grounds, donated by Macclesfield Community Tree Nursery.

More recently, fruit trees were planted inside the school's grounds, near the new pond, too.

With this programme and the seven year project with Macclesfield Community Tree Nursery, Bollinbrook is very thankful and excited for what the future holds for their outdoor area.

"We do also want to create a bug hotel", added Eva.

"I've found that a lot of children that you wouldn't expect to show an interest in certain things have been absolutely mesmerised.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to Nicki Barrett (pastoral) and her husband Neil. Pretty much everything that has been done has been [because of] Neil and Nicki."

This opportunity has not only allowed a more eco-friendly environment, but has also provided a fun way of educating children about nature.

To find more about the school and hope they help the environment, and make it part of kid's learning, please head to their website.