Pupils at Cwmdâr Primary School set to benefit from new outdoor maths space

Pupils at Cwmdâr Primary School are set to benefit from a new outdoor learning environment which has been designed to bring maths to life.

The new space, ‘Cwtch Cyfri’, has been developed to give children opportunities to explore numeracy outside the classroom in a more active and engaging way. It’s the latest addition to the school’s outdoor learning environment and features newly laid flooring and a range of specialist learning equipment designed to support counting, measuring, problem-solving, and other key numeracy skills.

The project has been made possible after Cwmdâr Primary School Home Association applied for funding from local energy company, Pennant Walters. The donation has enabled the outdoor area to be transformed into a dedicated space for mathematical exploration and play-based learning. The space supports the school’s wider commitment to innovative and experiential learning.

Carys Crimmings, volunteer at Cwmdâr Primary School Home Association and teacher at Cwmdâr Primary, said:

“We are proud that our pupils benefit so much from our outdoor learning provision and this maths area is fantastic. By taking learning outdoors, it will help encourage our pupils to apply mathematical concepts through movement, investigation, and practical problem-solving.”

The funding from Pennant Walters is linked to Pennant Walters’ 9 turbine 22 MW Mynydd Bwllfa windfarm near Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which became operational in summer 2015. It builds on previous donations which have seen the company provide money to support various local community groups.

Carys continued:

“On behalf of our pupils and families I’d like to say a huge thank you to Pennant Walters for supporting our ambitions to expand out outdoor learning provision. Pupils are already enjoying the space and we hope it’ll build pupil confidence in maths.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support, which will have a lasting impact on our pupils’ learning experience.”

Dale Hart, managing director at Pennant Walters, added:

“We’re delighted to support the development of ‘Cwtch Cyfri’. It’s brilliant to see the outdoor environment being used in such a creative way to support confidence, curiosity, and hands-on learning.”

Pennant Walters is a renewable energy development company with its head office in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and is part of the Walters Group. The Group has developed, built and now operates six wind farms and solar developments in South Wales, generating a total of 127MW of clean energy — making it Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer.