Landscaping team nearly doubles outdoor school area
Midlothian Council’s landscaping team has turned a once-forgotten patch of ground at a local primary school into what will soon be a vibrant hub for outdoor learning.
New amphitheatre and accessible path
Gore Glen Primary’s pupil council members joined head teacher Amy Milne and Cabinet Members Ellen Scott and Dianne Alexander recently to thank staff from neighbourhood services. At a special unveiling of the stunning new landscaped path and amphitheatre, they congratulated the team for creating an inspiring, accessible space for creativity and community.
Endless possibilities
For head teacher Ms Milne, the transformation is nothing short of inspiring. “The idea began with simply needing a muster point in the event of a fire,” she explains. “But it quickly grew into something far more exciting.” The new amphitheatre will act as an entrance for P5–P7 pupils and serve as a versatile outdoor learning space. From drama and storytelling to outdoor cooking classes, the possibilities are wide open.
A secret garden
“The pupil council — visiting the new area for the first time on completion day — were full of enthusiasm. They are already developing ideas for how to make the most of the expanded green space, with dreams of creating their own “secret garden.”
Significant challenges
The hard landscaping team, who led the project from start to finish, tackled the significant challenge of constructing a safe, inclusive pathway down a steep embankment. Their goal was to open additional playground space for all children, including wheelchair users. With more than 140 linear metres of pathway, hundreds of tonnes of soil, and thousands of pounds’ worth of timber, the team has created a remarkable new feature that will nearly double the usable outdoor area for the school.
Cush came up with the design
The amphitheatre, the brainchild of project lead Walter “Cush” Miller, was designed entirely without drawings — brought to life through experience, creativity, and vision. The £65k project, funded through developers’ contributions, took approximately 20 weeks and involved a dedicated four-person crew. Despite battling tough weather, challenging terrain likened to “concrete,” and adapting designs on the go, the team describes the project as one of the most enjoyable they’ve worked on.
Heartfelt thanks
Both staff and pupils extended their thanks to the landscaping team for the care, creativity, and hard work that brought this project to life. With such a dynamic new space, Gore Glen’s outdoor learning future looks brighter than ever, they agree.
In the picture
Pictured with Cabinet Members for Education and Green Spaces, Councillors Ellen Scott (far left) and Dianne Alexander are, left to right at back, landscapers Ian Bentley, Ross Taylor and Mark Banks. Cush is in the centre with Head Teacher Amy on far right.