Children who go to Pegswood Primary School nursery will benefit from more active and enjoyable play times now thanks to a new area just opened at the school.
 

The new play area includes a wooden climbing frame, a reading corner, water wall and a bright and colourful race track made from safe, durable wet-pour, all of which add up to a fun outdoor learning environment.

 

Its construction was made possible thanks to a grant of £10,000 from the Northumberland Healthy Pupil Capital Fund and local fundraising of £13,000.  Money came from a number of local and national supporters including Pegswood Parish Council, Cllr David Towns through his members local improvement schemes fund, Pegswood Coop, Pegswood Childminders, Lynemouth Power, Tesco, Hadrian Trust, Sir James Knott, Press Electrical and Ark Signs. 

 

The Healthy Pupil Capital Fund is money from Government which Northumberland County Council allocates to school projects which benefit pupils’ health.  The schemes have to have a direct impact on improving children's physical and mental health either through activity or healthy eating.

 

Andrew Waterfield, head teacher at Pegswood Primary School said:  “We are delighted to have achieved our fundraising target and to make this exciting refurbishment a reality, and  which the children of the community will benefit from for years to come.  I would like to thank all those that contributed to this worthy cause.”

 

Cllr David Towns, county councillor for the Pegswood Ward cut a ribbon to officially open the play area.  He said:  “It was a pleasure to help to declare the new area officially open and to contribute some of my local schemes budget to it.  The children were great and got busy with all the great activities there straight away!  Congratulations to the school on completing such a great project for the benefit of local children.”

 

Northumberland County Council has allocated more than £230,000 of Healthy Pupil Capital funding to schools across the county - for a wide range of schemes that benefit children’s health.

 

Cllr Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council added: “It is great to see projects like this being developed by our schools. 

 

“Providing children with the opportunity to lead healthier lifestyles is important in setting strong healthy habits from a young age and providing opportunities for daily activity is a great start on this journey.

 

“The Health Pupil Capital fund is one of a number of ways in which the county council supports schools to promote healthy habits for life.”