Bloomin' good (From Oxford Mail)

Bloomin' good

6:37pm Wednesday 15th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

PUPILS at North Kidlington Primary School joined teachers, parents, friends — and The One Show gardening guru Christine Walkden — to unveil their new wild garden.

The official opening marked the completion of a £4,000 project funded by the RBS banking group.

The investment forms part of the bank’s £6m Supergrounds project to improve 900 playgrounds at schools nominated by local RBS staff.

The school has used its grant for new paving, benches, outdoor musical instruments and disabled access.

Paul Whitford, a parent and governor at the school, nominated the primary for the grant.

He said: “The funding offers a fantastic opportunity to improve the grounds for the pupils and provide the children with a fun and stimulating learning environment.

“I know what a difference an outdoor area like this will make to the lives of the children and I’m really proud to have helped turn the school’s dream into a reality.”

It is more good news for the primary, after winning the Oxford Mail’s SOS competition for a £7,500 makeover.

It plans to use its prize to have a bird hide built in the wild garden.

Headteacher Mrs Battersby said: “The children are really looking forward to getting out and experiencing the new area.

“We are extremely grateful to Paul for the support and commitment he has shown to the school throughout this project and to Christine Walkden for coming along to celebrate.”

Marsh Gibbon Primary School has been given a similar RBS grant for an outdoor amphitheatre, garden and memorial to three people connected with the school.

Headteacher Louise Metherell said: “A member of staff, a parent and an ex-pupil have all died recently, so we thought a small memorial would be fitting.

“I’ve applied to so many places for funding over the years and never been successful. We are over the moon. The development will make a real difference to pupils.”

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk