Suffolk region helps school to build adventure into play time

Play time is about to get more adventurous at Sebert Wood Community Primary School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The school has ambitious plans for a low-level ropes course, and a den building area, ahead of the summer term following a generous donation from the team at Charles Church Suffolk. 

The five-star housebuilder donated £5,000 through their Community Champions scheme to support the school with the upgrade to their open space. 

Headteacher James Tottie said: “We want to give the children some more activities and allow them the opportunity to have more adventurous play in their free time. We are grateful to Persimmon for enabling us to go ahead with these works in coming weeks so they are complete before the summer. 

“We want to make the most of our open space and incorporate different areas to provide opportunities for each and every child, no matter what their interests.” 

The school is also planning to replant their sensory garden, creating a calmer space for those who need it, and we donated plants from the nearby Abbots Vale development to get them ahead with their spring planting.

Visiting the school, Katy Bent-Marshall, Sales Manager for Charles Church Suffolk, said: “As a business we take great pride in the outdoor spaces we create within our developments and it is a pleasure to see how the school are doing the same here – encouraging children to enjoy the outdoors in a wide variety of ways. 

“We look forward to returning to Sebert Wood later in the year to see the new equipment in place.” 

Cllr Donna Higgins, West Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Families and Communities, joined the visit to the school along with Cllr Birgitte Mager, West Suffolk Council Member for Moreton Hall. 

Cllr Mager said: “This is a really exciting project for the school. All children should have the chance to spend quality time outdoors and it is wonderful to see Charles Church helping make that happen here.” 

Cllr Higgins added: “Thank you to Charles Church for supporting the school, it has been a pleasure to hear about the work they do in the communities across West Suffolk and I would urge other schools and voluntary groups to apply for funding.” 

Suffolk recently  launched the new show home at the Charles Church at Abbots Vale development in Sicklesmere Road, Bury St Edmunds. The development will bring 142 much-needed new homes to the town including 48 for those whose needs are not met by the open market. It will be a flagship site for the business, showcasing the new-look range of Charles Church homes. 

To find out more about the Community Champions scheme and apply for a grant see here.