St Gregory’s RC School’s forest school under threat

St Gregory’s RC Primary School pupils use the Forest School created on the parcel of land, gifted by the Diocese of Salford.

The site was the home of the church, St Gregory The Great Roman Catholic Church until it was demolished in 2016.

When the area was taking shape. The wild area has been the site of significant work by local children, teachers, and families (Image: Martini)

Since then it has been transformed into an exciting open-door classroom enabling the youngsters explore nature and learn about the natural world to develop skills in a safe and creative space.

Work to create it started in 2019 and formed part of a larger project to enhance the school’s outdoor provision for youngsters

Now it is being sold as a ‘prime development opportunity’.

Chairman of St Gregory’s Local Governing Body Lee Berry said: “The early years children are in it at breaks, and the older children use it as a forestry school.

“It’s part of their curriculum – they’re in it all the time!”

The school is now part of St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust

Mr Berry is calling on Salford Diocese to reconsider its decision to sell the land, but in a statement the diocese reconfirmed their position to The Bolton News that it would continue with the sale.

A Salford Diocese spokesperson said: “Portions of the site have been utilised by the primary school to expand its outdoor provision, with a section permanently allocated to enhance the school’s nursery area.

The wild area will now be sold to raise money for the Diocese of Salford (Image: Martini)

“We understand the local disappointment that the whole site will no longer be able to be utilised by the school.

“The sale ensures responsible stewardship of diocesan and parish resources.

“We have worked closely with the school to provide assistance during this transition and hope the land can continue to benefit the community.”

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Mr Berry stated that the area around St Gregory’s School is quite poor, and that for some of the children using the wild area, this would be one of few ways they could access green spaces.

Mr Berry said: “This area has had significant investment in it, from government funds, school funds, lottery grants and hours and hours of work of the school staff to build a forest school and garden area for the children.”

Mr Berry says selling the area will ‘remove significant enrichment from the children’s lives’ (Image: Martini)

The land is now listed for sale online by Axis Property Consultancy.

It describes the land as “prime redevelopment opportunity, subject to obtaining the relevant planning permissions”.

All offers need to be received on Friday 9th January.