Primary schools across NI are being invited to test their creative skills with the chance to win a professionally designed and installed outside space for their school worth up to £10,000.

One of NI's leading concrete products manufacturer Acheson & Glover has joined together with the Landscape Centre in Ballyclare and U105.8FM radio station in this competition. The aim is to get school children – and their principals – putting their thinking caps on in the classroom to come up with ideas on how their outside school space could be improved.

"Whether it's a place to relax, to learn, to play or to observe nature, the outside space around a school can provide a stimulating environment for young minds and through this competition we aim to transform the outside space for one lucky winner," said Lauren Acheson, Outside Rooms Manager at Acheson & Glover.

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Chosen from six finalists, the winning school will get an outside space 'make-over' with product supplied by Acheson & Glover backed up by design expertise and installation provided by the Landscape Centre.

"We'll be looking for entries with imagination and creative flair," said Steven Thompson of the Landscape Centre. "We want to set the schools thinking about things such as sustainability and the eco element, with ideas not just on recreational spaces but perhaps something that takes in an educational aspect too."

Now open for entries, the competition closes on 18 March 2011 with the winning school getting its new outside space installed shortly thereafter.

Children are invited to write down in 250 words what a difference a professionally designed and installed outside space would make to the pupils at their school. The 250 word narrative should be supported by a 'concept' drawing and supporting statement from their principal.

(CD/GK)