NORBURY Primary School has joined Friends of the Shropshire Hills AONB, the membership scheme run by the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership.

Catherine Landles, Community Officer, explains "We have worked with Norbury School on a range of projects over the years, from developing outdoor learning to supporting the children with their John Muir Award. It is great that the school has signed up to show their support for the Shropshire Hills AONB."

Les Ball, headteacher at Norbury Primary School, adds "The opportunities which the AONB Partnership has brought to our children have developed and grown so much that they have become an integral part of our learning. Children have been inspired by the enthusiasm which Cath brings to help to develop their understanding, respect and love of our beautiful landscape."

Friends of the Shropshire Hills AONB was set up to foster a sense of belonging and support for the AONB, its wildlife, heritage, culture and wellbeing. The membership fees go entirely towards community projects in the AONB through the AONB's Sustainable Development Fund.

Many local schools, including Norbury, have benefitted from these grants which have enabled them to establish outdoor classrooms, develop hands-on heritage and wildlife activities and benefit from specialist support.

Les Ball continued "Working with AONB Partnership has opened many doors and given us access to a range of equally enthusiastic experts in a wide range of specialist areas and each has been able to present new learning opportunities to our children, in their own engaging and purposeful way.

For more information about our work with local schools or to become a member of Friends of the Shropshire Hills AONB please call Catherine Landles on 01588 674084, or see www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/friends."