A Maryport school is excited to be opening its brand new outdoor classroom and library as part of a project aimed at making a difference.

Flimby-based company Forth built the new structure for Ewanrigg Junior School.

The pupils decided they wanted an outdoor classroom as part of their Bright Stars project.

The project is part of a Centre for Leadership Performance initiative which has seen pupils at schools across Cumbria working with businesses to create their own mini business.

This year, the focus of the project is ‘making a difference’.

Teacher Allison Lancaster said: “The children in my class decided that they wanted to make a difference to our outside area.

“Especially when they came back after half term and the fence had been moved so they could actually go on to the land, they were really impressed and proud of themselves.

“Even though some of them are in Year 6 and they won’t get to spend a lot of time on it, they’ve left an impression for children in future years.”

The children were split up into different roles during the course of the project, so they could get involved with helping to design and publicise their work.

The school’s land has been extended as part of the development and there is also a new space for the children to play on.

Ms Lancaster added: “Visually you can see a huge difference.

“The children are getting to be children and play.

“The teamwork has been wonderful.

“It’s just nice to see lots of smiles on faces.”