Far from only studying lessons in a traditional classroom, one group of green-fingered youngsters will have the chance to incorporate the great outdoors thanks to a new wildlife area.

Pupils at Queensway Junior School, on Hillary Road, Thetford, officially launched their Jubilee Wildlife Garden today (Friday), complete with amphitheatre, willow shelter, bird hide and numerous trees and plants to create different habitats.

The project, led by year six pupils, first involved clearing the overgrown area before erecting palisade fencing and a hazel archway entrance around an old disused amphitheatre, clearing trails, selecting plants and installing bird feeders to transform the quarter-acre site.

It was launched as part of the school's jubilee celebrations which saw each pupils from Queensway junior and infant schools wear red, white and blue, build a union flag, and take part in a picnic.

Head Laura Jestico said the children had learnt a lot from creating the garden and added: 'They've had to use maths and English skills because they've had to cost the project and the prices of plants and decide what they want where and they are going to write pieces about the different areas and what creatures the younger children can expect to see here.

'There's also a lot of science so it will bolster our curriculum. I also wanted something that would be lasting for the jubilee, and wasn't just a tree, and would be here for another 60 years.'

In addition, year three pupils are currently working on an outdoor peace and reflection area, year four on a vegetable allotment and year five on building a sculpture garden.

Some �100 worth of plants and vegetables were chosen by the pupils and staff from Thetford Garden Centre, which donated �25 to each year group in the school.