PUPILS at a Swindon school will be getting their hands dirty and learning about nature.

Nyland School, in Nythe, has been awarded a grant of £9,750 from the Awards For All lottery fund.

The money is being used to set up Nyland Forest School, which will run in partnership with Woodland Learning.

Forest School is a regular, hands-on learning experience in a woodland environment.

Pupils can learn practical woodland management skills and woodland crafts while developing their confidence and self-esteem.

And pupils at the school have already begun working on the project, which runs until December.

Yesterday, one class spent the morning with Ruth Parsons, who runs Woodland Learning, planting bulbs and examining a willow shelter they had built.

"There is a quote that says the best classroom is roofed by nothing but the sky, and I couldn't agree more," said Ruth.

"They all seem to be enjoying it so far, and it is important that they get to know me.

"It is all about the children learning about themselves and developing their confidence, self-esteem and learning new skills."

Ruth is no stranger to the school as she has been helping them for nearly a decade.

"I helped to construct the hedge around the playing field, which is now pretty big and has birds nesting in it," she said.

She also helped to create the woodland area, garden and the willow shelter on the school grounds. The whole school will be taking part in the project, which will see them building dens, roasting marshmallows and visiting Stanton Park.

At the end of the project they will be having a party in the park.

The grant money will go towards the cost of the materials, providing tools and other equipment and will also allow staff and parent volunteers to train to be Forest School leaders so the project can continue after December. The project is being officially launched on February 10, when the school will be holding a family morning from 10am until noon.

Families from the school and members of the local community are all welcome to attend.