'Blank canvas' transformed into school play area
28/07/2009 An empty plot outside a primary school has been transformed into an action-packed play area.
The £3.5 million development outside Malmesbury Primary School in Wiltshire was started last June following £10,000 lottery funding, a £5,000 grant from Persimmon and a concerted fundraising effort by parents.
Now a completely different site, it has brand new outdoor classrooms, specialist play equipment and a weather shelter for parents and pupils, reports the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard.
Head teacher Jeff Staton said the MPSA committee, with support from parents and some significant donations from local companies helped create the outdoor areas.
He told the news provider: "The outdoor classrooms, playground markings and seating areas that we have been able to install are now in constant use and are very popular with the children."
The outdoor play equipment should help youngsters get active, as according to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.

The £3.5 million development outside Malmesbury Primary School in Wiltshire was started last June following £10,000 lottery funding, a £5,000 grant from Persimmon and a concerted fundraising effort by parents.
Now a completely different site, it has brand new outdoor classrooms, specialist play equipment and a weather shelter for parents and pupils, reports the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard.
Head teacher Jeff Staton said the MPSA committee, with support from parents and some significant donations from local companies helped create the outdoor areas.
He told the news provider: "The outdoor classrooms, playground markings and seating areas that we have been able to install are now in constant use and are very popular with the children."
The outdoor play equipment should help youngsters get active, as according to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.



