Crumpsall & Crab Lane Primary Schools
Two urban community primary schools in the north of Manchester whose green spaces are offering their pupils a nature-based approach to learning.
Support Crumpsall Lane and Crab Lane Primary Schools
Crumpsall Lane Primary School and Crab Lane Primary School make up the North Manchester Primary Federation, and both schools have ambitious plans to offer their pupils a greener way to learn.
See the drop down list below for detailed project information, pricing and plans.
Email info@gmet.org.uk with the subject line 'Bloom Hub: Crumpsall & Crab Lane Primary Schools' if you're interested in funding any of these project ideas.
Crumpsall Lane Primary School
Project Idea #1: Pond Redevelopment
Funding Required: £6,000
Summary:
We are a large primary school with very limited green space. We do have a wildlife pond, but unfortunately the pond structure and the bridge over it are now structurally unsafe and cannot be used. This means we have had to close access to a valuable outdoor learning resource.
Resources Needed:
The money would be used to replace the wooden structure of the pond, drain the pond, refill and secure it, replace rotten wood that supports the bridge, replant the pond and create soft pore access to the pathway. As well as this, suitable aquatic plants would be purchased. It is aimed at our school community of 3-11 year olds with a view to a new pond area being completed and accessible to children for the summer term 2026 or autumn term 2026.
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• Improved biodiversity
• Learning space for 400 children to support the delivery of the science curriculum (e.g., living things and their habitats) over the course of an academic year
Project Idea #2: Green Space Creation
Funding Required: £3,000
Summary:
The wildlife area next to our pond needs some TLC! There are derelict planters in here that need repairing and planting up. We need new fencing to secure the site and separate it from the main playground, along with a mud kitchen for children to enjoy tactile experiences in the outdoors. As well as this, seating to ensure children have a quiet space to sit and be immersed in nature, as well as tables for them to read, write and draw at if necessary. Finally, we would want to create some bug hotels, as the area is well covered by trees and plants and it would be a great natural space to enhance.
Resources Needed:
• Fencing
• Mud kitchen
• Seating and tables
• Bug hotels
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• Improved biodiversity
• Quiet space for emotional wellbeing accessible to 400 children over the year during play and lunchtimes
• Quiet space to support learning, particularly if children are making observations of the natural world in their local environment.
Project Location
Crab Lane Primary School
Project Idea #1: Outdoor Classroom
Funding Required: £6,000
Summary:
We are a large primary school with fantastic school grounds and lots of green space. We are looking to further develop our field by creating an outdoor classroom. This will include seating and tables within our copse area, wildflower meadow planting and a nature trail, involving a range of different surface textures, plants and a willow tunnel.
It is aimed at our school community of 3-11 year olds with a view to a new pond area being completed and accessible to children for the summer term 2026 or autumn term 2026.
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• Improved biodiversity
• Learning space for 400 children to support the delivery of the science curriculum (e.g., living things and their habitats) over the course of an academic year
• Improved mental health by creating more opportunities for purposeful outdoor learning
Project Idea #2: Sustainable Outdoor Play
Funding Required: £7,000
Summary:
We are looking to develop our green space further by making better use of our playing field to develop a whole-school approach to outdoor play. This would be based around large, creative resources that cannot be replicated indoors, with a view to treating playtime in the same way we would teach a curriculum area and engaging with the natural world.
Often, experiences like this stop when children leave the Early Years and we want to make the most of our school grounds by creating large instrument areas, a sand pit, construction, imaginary play, etc.
Resources Needed:
• Large play resources and structures, such as sand pit, instruments, mud kitchen
• Play resource construction
• Training for staff
• Suitable outdoor clothing (including waterproofs and wellies)
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• Increase in physical activity for over 320 5-11 year olds
• Creative thinking opportunities for the school community
• Better engagement in play and lunchtime activity
Project Idea #3: Community Garden
Funding Required: £5,000
Summary:
We are looking to develop a community garden. This would be for the school community, including parents and carers and we would want to purchase polytunnels to support the planting and growing of a range of vegetables throughout the year. Currently, we do not grow our own food and this would support hugely with educating the children while also alleviating food poverty for our families (we are situated in a highly deprived area). We would also want to purchase waterproof clothing, wellies, gardening equipment and tools to support the development and maintenance of the area.
Resources Needed:
• Polytunnels
• Edible plants
• Gardening equipment and tools
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• Food grown for the school community (250+ families)
• Five polytunnels growing a range of food
• Children, parents and carers will have a better understanding of how food is produced.
Project Location
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