Ripley Infant School has received a £500 donation towards new outdoor play equipment from two housebuilders in the town.
Bellway and Ashberry Homes have jointly contributed the money to help the school improve its outdoor learning provision for Year 1 and 2 pupils returning to classes following lockdown.
Bellway’s Coppice Heights and Ashberry Homes’ Amber Rise developments are both located off Whiteley Road, around a mile from the school, off Kirk Close.
The school is fundraising to provide new play equipment and materials for the pupils to enjoy in the open air during the summer term.
Ripley Infant School Head Teacher, Paula Doleman, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this donation from Bellway and Ashberry Homes.
“As a school we encompass six key themes: achievement, safety, passion, individuality, resilience and exploration - the latter being a key element of this particular project.
“It is important for children to explore and learn about the world around them and that has been increasingly difficult due to the lockdown. We are therefore keen to encourage our pupils to spend more time learning and playing outdoors, particularly with the weather improving as summer approaches.”
Heidi Higgins, Sales Manager for Bellway, said: “This past year has been a hard time for everyone, especially children, who have missed a large chunk of teaching due to the pandemic and have been unable to go outdoors and play with their friends.
“Providing children with the opportunity to play outdoors is particularly important at the moment, so we are more than happy to support this extremely worthwhile project.
“We hope the new play equipment and materials provided through our donation will enhance the learning experience for pupils, including those living at the Coppice Heights and Amber Rise developments.”
Coppice Heights and Amber Rise will both include a range of two, three, and four-bedroom homes for sale. Both developments launched in June, with brand new showhomes at Coppice Heights available to view now. Showhomes at Amber Rise will open in July for prospective buyers to explore.
For more information about Coppice Heights, visit bellway.co.uk or call 01773 730542. For more information about Amber Rise, see ashberryhomes.co.uk.
CAPTIONS
- Left to right (back) - Jade Gent, Michelle Bell, Paula Doleman, Kerry Dennis and Louise Dove of Ripley Infant School with Rebecca Lawrence of Bellway and Ben Docherty of Ashberry Homes (front)