Young people are now able to learn about the value of nature at the Discovery Den, an outdoor classroom that has opened at Hengistbury Head.

Schools and colleges will be able to run activities in the surrounding environment to encourage positive physical and mental health. Students at Kingston Maurward College will also benefit from undertaking fieldwork in the surrounding landscape.

Luke Rake, Dorset LEP Board member and principal of Kingston Maurward College, said: “Dorset LEP has allocated approximately £70,000 to a partnership between Kingston Maurward College and BCP Council for this new visitor attraction, which will encourage a huge number of students to visit and gain a greater understanding of nature in the area.”

The outdoor classroom, which complements the Visitor Centre, is an accessible structure built from two clad shipping containers, with a connected deck area. This building provides a secure and sheltered meeting point for student groups and for the wider public to run life-long learning and lifestyle activities such as drawing, yoga and group counselling sessions. Public enquiries can be sent to discovery.den@bcpcouncil.gov.uk, bookings will start in 2022.

Brian Heppenstall, Kingston Maurward College teacher and former senior ranger at Hengistbury Head, who initiated the project said: “This project is all about getting local children and local people out and interested in nature. We hope that by using the Discovery Den people, and especially children, will care for nature in their garden, local park or the school playing fields. It will be a great space for schools to run teacher-led visits, while families and community groups can run extracurricular activities such as bug hunting or pond dipping at weekends or evenings – safe in the knowledge there is a dry space to escape the British weather.”

Rebecca Phillips, Dorset Careers Hub’s strategic lead, said: “This project will enable students to get out of the classroom, learn about wildlife and encourage real life experiences. Green skills are as essential for the future of Dorset as they are for the planet. The Discovery Den has the potential to inspire young people to seek green economy jobs and work to conserve what we have on our doorstep and beyond.”