Pupils at Northfield's Meadows Primary School will be enjoying more fresh air while they're learning thanks to a unique 'outdoor classroom' that Willmott Dixon Partnerships' local branch has helped to create.

Volunteers from the company's Birmingham South branch assisted in making the outdoor classroom to provide a safe environment for outdoor learning activities to take place.

The work involved a team of Willmott Dixon volunteers renewing fencing to create secure space for the new area, as well as upgrading the school's sensory room, carrying out plumbing work and fitting large mirrors. The team also renovated the children's playhouse by replacing the roof and giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Meadows Primary School welcomes local children from five to eleven years old, and caters for children with speech and language difficulties.

The team contributed their time as part of Willmott Dixon's 'Community Day' initiative, which offers support to communities, charities and organisations in the areas where Willmott Dixon works. This is part of the company's 'Transformational Change' approach on long-term contracts, which focuses on creating major legacy benefits for local people through skills training, apprenticeship investment and community involvement."

Richard Freeman, customer and community officer for Willmott Dixon, says, "We are always keen to give something back to the local community where the company is carrying out work. When the school approached us for assistance it seemed like the perfect opportunity to repay local residents for their warm welcome, and deliver educational benefits for the children at the same time. We were really happy to help Meadows create the outdoors classroom, which will surely be a huge benefit to the school. We just wish we could organise the weather as well."

Mrs Barton, Headteacher for Meadows primary school, said, "With the support of Willmott Dixon we now have a colourful, welcoming outdoor learning area for our Reception children to learn and play within. We also have a much improved nurture room to support sensory development and a super seating area in our book corner. The staff from Willmott Dixon have been very professional, flexible and worked to the highest standard. We are most grateful to everyone at Willmott Dixon for giving their time, skills and energy to carry out work that otherwise we would not have been able to undertake this year!"

Willmott Dixon Partnerships, part of the Willmott Dixon Group, is currently working with Birmingham City Council to repair and maintain 60,000 properties in the city. It's two contracts for the north and south of the city includes the areas of Edgbaston, Hall Green, Northfield, Selly Oak, Ladywood, Erdington, Perry Bar and Sutton Coldfield. It aims to reduce the cost of this service by £47m over the five year terms of the two contracts.

Willmott Dixon Group is the UK's second largest privately-owned capital works, regeneration and support services company.

With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships works with social housing landlords, currently providing support services to over 150,000 homes, alongside a substantial number of public buildings and commercial properties across the UK.