An outdoor classroom has been created for Hamilton school kids by people completing community sentences. Individuals carrying out unpaid work as part of community payback orders (CPOs) helped to transform a pergola into an outside classroom at Neilsland Primary School.
Head teacher praises unpaid work team
Pamela Kelly, head teacher at Neilsland Primary School, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the new outdoor classroom built by the unpaid work team. They did a fantastic job, and the quality and care put into their work was exceptional.
“This wonderful new space will be a fantastic asset to our school, providing students with engaging opportunities to learn, explore, and thrive. It will be invaluable in supporting and enriching learning across the curriculum for years to come.”
Part of wider community projects
This was one of a number of projects across South Lanarkshire that have seen areas transformed by people carrying out unpaid work as part of a CPO. Across Scotland, more than 12.5 million hours of supervised unpaid work have been completed since 2011, helping to improve local areas.
Support for rehabilitation
Professor Soumen Sengupta, chief officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, said: “At Neilsland Primary, our unpaid work service helped turn an idea for a new outdoor classroom into a practical space where pupils can learn, explore and thrive.
“The confidence shown by the school community in our unpaid work service is greatly appreciated. It reflects the dedication of our justice social work staff, who work every day to reduce re-offending, support rehabilitation and help make communities across South Lanarkshire safer and stronger.”
