School pupils will be learning all about the environment and water preservation from their very own ‘eco-pod’ classroom – thanks to a £25,000 Severn Trent grant.

Churcham Primary School Charity, based in Gloucester, received the award from the water company’s Community Fund to create the new interactive wooden building.

It has been designed with environmental sustainability in mind, with specific features to enable kids to learn from the pod itself, including water-saving devices.

The project also includes a 'Severn Trent Garden' which uses rainwater harvested from the roof so pupils can tend to seasonal flowers and connect with nature.

The eco-pod has provided an additional space at the rural school, first established in the 1850s by landowners for children of agricultural workers, to help with 1-1 teaching for pupils with special educational needs, as well becoming a new library base.

A spokesperson for the charity thanked Severn Trent for funding the new classroom, which will be used to support the curriculum from September.

"This pod has transformed the school environment,” they said. “And our ability to have the additional space has enriched the overall learning for our pupils especially around the environment.”

And one grateful parent added: “Thank you Severn Trent for funding this wonderful project.  We are all very excited to see this pod being used and our children benefitting from the space."

Jade Gough, Severn Trent Community Fund officer, said: “This is a wonderful project which will allow pupils to learn more about the environment and the water cycle, as well as giving them much needed extra space for learning and 1:1 support.

“We are delighted our Community Fund was able to help create such a special space to benefit the school, students and local community.”