FORGET the Millennium Dome — the children at Boasley Cross Primary School have a dome with a difference — a willow dome.
The living dome was created with the help of every one of the 41 children in the school, from the tiniest infant to the oldest pupil, and the help of willow sculptor Stephen Froom.
Headteacher Rose Williams said: 'It's the first stage of the development of the school grounds to take place over the next three years.
'All the children are working with Stephen Froom in mixed age groups, so there are younger children working in with the older ones.'
Mrs Williams said the dome, made entirely of living willow, will be big enough to house an entire class once it is finished.
It will create an unusual extra classroom for story-telling and 'circle time' on summer days — apart from being an unusual play-house.
'It's a wonderful resource for the school — and as the shoots grow longer it will also be a maintenance activity for the children,' said Mrs Williams, who added that the children were 'really enjoying' their day of willow sculpture.
The school has also been growing trees from seed — as part of the development plan for the grounds. They will be planted out with willow animals being created among them.
A low activity wall is also being built and there are plans for more climbing shrubs to be planted in the grounds, providing a windbreak.
'We're very high up here, so it will be really nice to have something extra to shelter the school,' said Mrs Williams.