A GRANT from a supermarket will give outdoor-loving youngsters at a borough primary school greater opportunity to play outside.
Tesco has given £1,500 to Polehampton Church of England Infant School, which will be used to create a sand and water play area for the children.
The school applied to Tesco’s Community Grants scheme, which awards funds to community organisations that make a positive difference to their communities.
Grants of £500, £1,000 and £1,500 are available.
Polehampton Infant School hoped that winning a grant would help them encourage the children to enjoy healthy outdoor play, as part of its Let Your Light Shine vision.
Jo Terry, the school’s business manager, says: “We are very grateful to Tesco for this funding.
“We want to encourage our children to aspire to great things and for the light of their lives to shine and make a difference in their classrooms, throughout the school and when they return home and into their community.
“Playing outdoors significantly helps to improve children’s health and fitness, and has a huge impact on their wellbeing.
“It helps the children to develop self-confidence, independence and self-esteem.
“They also become aware of limits, boundaries and challenges in their play.”
She explains that when children are used to playing outdoors, they are more likely to try new activities, engage with others, solve problems, explore the natural environment, make friends and show resilience.
“We believe strongly that having opportunities to think actively in a social context, outside, is key to the health and wellbeing of our children,” she continues.
“Our vision for the sand and water play area is to develop an inclusive, innovative, hands-on, sensory way for children to exercise, learn and have fun in the outdoors.”
Polehampton C of E Infant School is a two-form entry infant school in Twyford.
It is part of The Keys Academy Trust and works closely with the junior school to ensure an easy transition for the children.
Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, says: “We’re delighted that we can help organisations such as Polehampton C of E Infant School.
“Tesco Community Grants invites our customers to vote using their blue token for local schemes they feel are important to help our communities thrive, and it’s so good to see the impact that the funding makes.”
The Tesco Community Grants scheme is run in partnership with the Groundwork charity.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Tesco to provide these much-needed funds, which will help to support communities.”
To apply for a Tesco Community Grant, organisations should visit: https://tescocommunitygrants.org.uk/
