A secondary school has won a national competition to build an outdoor classroom.

Thorns Collegiate Academy in Brierley Hill was named a monthly winner in Selco Builders Warehouse's Community Heroes scheme.

The school plans to use the £500 prize to get materials to build the new classroom, which will be used to teach pupils about sustainability.

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The classroom will be open to pupils, their families, and the wider community.

The school plans to create a community allotment as part of the project.

Sally Philpotts, Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust director of SEND, said: "We are thrilled to receive this support from Selco.

"The money we have won through Community Heroes will support us in completing the base and groundwork for a large 4m x 6m outdoor classroom.

"The ability to offer outdoor learning opportunities will not only support our students to develop their physical and mental wellbeing but will also offer invaluable opportunities for staff, students, families, and the wider community to understand how they can live more sustainably."

The academy is also one of 12 finalists in the Community Heroes campaign.

The overall winner will receive £5,000, and a runner-up will get £1,000.

A public vote is set to launch soon.

Almost 2,000 entries were received for the Community Heroes.

Simon Humpage, head of multi-channel marketing at Selco, said: "We are delighted to be able to support Thorns Collegiate Academy with its exciting project.

"Sustainability is a core value of Selco, so we are pleased to be able to help a school with a shared vision.

"Community Heroes is our flagship campaign for helping good causes across the country.

"We have had a tremendous response this year, and we are looking forward to the voting stage of the competition beginning shortly."

Entries to Community Heroes have now closed for 2024.