IF you go down to the woods today . . . you're sure of a unique educational experience.

Larkhill Rise Forest School, in Rawtenstall. has been created by teachers, children and parents from St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, Bright Futures Nursery School and Alder Grange Community and Technology School.

It features an outdoor classroom, mud slide, mud pit, fire pit, mud kitchen, bog garden, vegetable garden, polytunnel and willow tunnel. Funding is also being sought for an outdoor classroom, and other resources.

There are plans afoot for a willow weaving course open to the public in February next year and also a series of interactive community lectures.

Charities and organisations will also have use of the facilities, including Home-Start Rossendale.

The Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Tom Aldred, attended the opening of the school, which has been in the works since 2005.

Parent Nusrat Karim said: “Larkhill Rise Forest School will be a wonderful resource for my children. I am delighted that the schools and nursery are proactively providing different learning activities to engage them and boost their confidence."

Acting headteacher Samaira Nasim said: “I would like to thank our partners and everyone who has contributed to make this dream a reality. Although it was hard work, it was really rewarding to see how much we achieved and great community spirit in action.”

Rossendale’s MP Jake Berry said: “St Paul’s School is a real example of how to make your school family an integral part of the wider Rossendale community.

“This outstanding project has drawn in local parents, pupils, and teachers, along with other local people who are working together to improve the learning environment for young people in the Valley.”