A new forest school in North West Leicestershire has been given a name to reflect the landscape and mining heritage of the area.
Greenstone Primary will be run by the newly-appointed Lionheart Educational Trust and will offer education based on a Scandanavian idea which promotes learning through contact with nature.
Based in Ellistown and built by Stepnell on behalf of the Harworth Group as part of its Swinfen Vale development, the primary school will be able to cater for up to 420-pupils.
The name was chosen by the trust after the layer of granite, known locally as green stone (whinstone), in the area. Coal lay under it, which sometimes made mining a challenge.
“We are delighted that The Lionheart Educational Trust will run this school, bringing with it an innovative and inclusive community; elements that were prioritised when we recommended a sponsor.
“The trust runs a number of primary schools across the county and we are confident it will continue its great work here.
“This is the first forest school to be built on behalf of the council in Leicestershire and will provide children with a unique and exciting educational experience, often using the outdoor environment as a classroom.
“It is also really fitting that the trust has chosen a name that gives a nod to both the natural landscape and rich heritage and history of the area.”
Person:Cllr Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for children and families
"We're excited to open Greenstone Primary School where, by adopting a forest school approach, pupils will flourish and achieve through a traditional education that also encompasses beyond-the-classroom experiences.
“Our aim is to create a school that is at the heart of the community, enabling us to work together with families in the local and wider area of Coalville. The brand-new school facilities are second-to-none and we know that pupils will thrive in Greenstone's wonderful learning environment."
Person:Kath Kelly, CEO of Lionheart Educational Trust
“We are pleased to have worked in collaboration with Leicestershire County Council to deliver this innovative, state-of-the art sustainable school.
Person:David Cockcroft, regional director of Harworth Group
"The school will be an integral element of the overall Swinfin Vale/Hugglescote Grange development of over 2,000 new homes, and highlights Harworth’s commitment to creating sustainable communities where people want to live and work.”
Designed by Nottingham-based Lungfish Architects, the school will have six single storey buildings which include teaching space as well as the school’s hall, kitchen and early years accommodation, linked by a covered walkway. Outdoor space will include a football pitch and soft play area.
In line with the county council’s green agenda, the school will feature green technology such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, and buildings will be dynamic, naturally lit and naturally ventilated.
The school is set to open in autumn 2025 – applications for all first-time primary school applications for autumn 2025/26 will open in September
- The Lionheart Educational Trust runs a number of schools in Leicestershire including Broom Leys Primary, The Castle Rock School and Newbridge School in Coalville, Beauchamp College and Brocks Hill Primary in Oadby, Highcliffe Primary and The Cedars Academy in Birstall and Sir Jonathan North Girls’ College in Knighton.
- Forest schools promote education through outdoor play and learning. The aim is to encourage and inspire children through outdoor experiences, enabling them to develop social skills, motivation and confidence. Pupils will also benefit from a traditional curriculum, learning the tools required for academic success, with learning enriched by integrating the natural world into the curriculum.