Generous Curdworth parents bought equipment for their village school – making playtime more fun for the young pupils.
Younger pupils at Curdworth Primary School, which is part of Sutton’s respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership are getting to grips with a brand-new ‘trim trail’ which provides fun wooden climbing obstacles, set into soft flooring.
And PE lesson for older students at the school, which is in Farthing Lane, now include use of new outdoor gym equipment including cycles and across trainer.
“The school’s parents have been brilliant – they formed a small PTA group to organise events like Christmas and summer fairs, which were supported by other parents who ran stalls and got involved.”
– Lisa Dodd, Headteacher
The trim trail was completed over half term while the gym equipment was installed just a few weeks before that.
Children excited after Curdworth parents bought equipment
Head teacher Lisa Dodd said: “We are so excited to have this new equipment, which has been funded by our parents and also through the school’s annual sports premium funding – which we have been saving for a while specifically to have this put in.
“The school’s parents have been brilliant – they formed a small PTA group to organise events like Christmas and summer fairs, which were supported by other parents who ran stalls and got involved.
“One of our Governors, Ruth McFarland, took part in a sponsored running event with her son and some of the other children which raised money too.
“Then, last Christmas parents organised a raffle too, which saw so many brilliant prizes donated, and sold lots of tickets.
“Curdworth is that kind of community where everyone really gets on board and supports each other.
Mrs Dodd said the equipment provided a different focus for the pupils at lunch and break times.
She said: “We noticed that as a result of the pandemic some of our children hadn’t been as active as they may have been. Lots of them do outside sports and activities like rugby, cricket and dance, but many of those were disrupted by lockdown.
“So, the equipment will help the children with their general fitness as well as helping them develop their co-ordination, balance and confidence.
“We are so very lucky to have this new equipment and are extremely grateful for the efforts of the community to help us fund it.”