A roundhouse made of straw bales and recycled material has been built at Bute Cottage Nursery in Penarth, South Glamorgan.

Nursery staff, children and parents took two years to build the room from recycled materials including old tyres, wood and even old school jumpers. Members of the local community including the Youth Offending Team, local carpenter, builders and fire fighters also helped to complete the classroom. It is being used by the nursery for Foundation Phase lessons and by the community for adult learning courses.

Ceri Hoffrock, Headmistress of Bute Cottage Nursery, said, “I hope that everyone involved in this project is as proud of our Bwythyn Bach Pinc as we all are at Bute Cottage. It would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of the whole community, co-ordinated by Hilary Hanmer, the Assistant Head.
“Teaching and learning in all areas of the curriculum have been enhanced both by the construction and future use of this unique classroom. As one of our pupils, Lily said, ‘The wolf can’t blow our straw house down’.”

Welsh Education Minister Jane Hutt congratulated the nursery on its achievement. “The community spirit displayed in building the straw bale classroom is fantastic,” she said. “The classroom is not only an innovative base for Foundation Phase lessons but also an excellent resource for the local community.

“The hands-on approach that our revolutionary Foundation Phase teaches has allowed the nursery children to be part of a project they’ll remember forever.”