£27,000 Wooden Spoon Yorkshire grant creates Forest School at Co-op Brierley
YorkshireThe Forest School at Co-op Brierley, a project for Playground & Outdoor Activities in Yorkshire, has been awarded a grant of £27,000. This project, designed to support pupils in their learning and development through outdoor exploration, is set to have a significant impact on the local community.
Co-op Academy Brierley places its pupils at the heart of everything it does, ensuring they are safe, secure, valued, and happy. The school is dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential and make positive contributions, while promoting equality of opportunity for all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, or disability.
John Bentley declared the new play equipment open before racing pupils to the top of the climbing frame and tackling the rolling beam with Sarah and Sam Bell, the Assistant Head who led the project. He even found time for a swift coaching session, passing a ball with a few of the pupils.
This new Forest School, opened on the 8th October 2025, provides an inspiring outdoor environment designed to encourage curiosity, resilience, and teamwork, helping children to grow in confidence and wellbeing.
The project was generously funded by a Wooden Spoon Charity grant. Wooden Spoon supports Co-op Brierley’s dedication to creating engaging and inclusive environments that foster wellbeing and growth.
The Head, Sarah Harridge, said ” The new equipment is fantastic. The Forest School gives our pupils an outdoor learning environment which can promote teamwork and cooperation, in turn developing their social and emotional skills. On their behalf, our thanks go to Wooden Spoon”
Wooden Spoon is a charitable organisation dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the rugby community. Known for its commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland, the charity has funded hundreds of projects that create opportunities for children and young people. With a strong track record of impactful, community-driven initiatives, Wooden Spoon continues to improve lives through physical, educational, and social projects.
Through partnerships like this, Wooden Spoon furthers its mission to make a positive, lasting difference in communities.
Support Playground & Outdoor Activities projects across the UK and Ireland by donating to Wooden Spoon, or find out more here.
