THE education provision at Stonehenge will be widely improved following the approval of plans.

English Heritage had plans approved by Wiltshire Council to build a new learning centre and reconstruct a specialist Neolithic classroom near the existing Neolithic village.

Both buildings will be around 2.5 miles west from Stonehenge Circle.

The plans are said to be part of a wider investment strategy to support improvements to the visitor experience at Stonehenge.

The Neolithic classroom, which will be based on Neolithic communal buildings that were found to the northeast of the site at Durrington Walls, would allow young people “to have a deeper engagement with Neolithic life”, according to English Heritage.

It would provide a unique experience that English Heritage says cannot be delivered in any other form of space, enabling educators to transport students back in time to the Neolithic period.

READ MORE: Third person charged over Stonehenge Just Stop Oil vandalism

READ MORE: Stonehenge’s ‘altar stone’ came from Scotland – not Wales – study shows

“It will provide an immersive and authentic-feeling space where a combination of costumed storytelling, object handling and hands-on activities will provide students with a deepened and enhanced appreciation of Neolithic life,” a spokesperson said.

The learning centre will consist of a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) lab that has been developed in response to research at Stonehenge and will include a space for young people to explore and test.

English Heritage says the new buildings are being created, as they have noticed an increase in demand for educational facilities at the heritage site.

An artist’s impression of the STEM lab Picture: English Heritage

“Following informal discussions between English Heritage and Historic England carried out in 2020, Historic England agrees that the existing Stonehenge educational offer, although award-winning and significantly successful since the Visitor Centre was opened in 2013, is now, in light of increased demand and evolving expectations not world-class, and improvements to facilities are desirable,” a spokesperson said.

They added: “English Heritage want to improve the quality and extend the range of the education offer.

“Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 year olds) demand is up and prehistory is now part of Key Stage 3 (11 to 14 year olds) in the national curriculum.

“English Heritage wants to make sure they can continue to offer what primary schools need but also expand their reach into the secondary level.”