Every time it rains a Derby school has to get out buckets to catch the water and stop flooding in classrooms from a leaky roof, while children are working at their desks.
But staff and pupils at Borrow Wood Primary School in Spondon are hoping that their rainy day problems will soon be behind them.
The school has been given £659,725 to replace its ageing roof – one of three schools in the Odyssey Collaborative Trust to receive Government funding for school repairs.
The others are Asterdale Primary School and Beaufort Primary School, which have been given £387,981 and £526,333 respectively for new boiler heating systems – a total of £1.57 million altogether for the trust.
Derby trust successful bid
Odyssey Collaborative Trust was the only multi-academy trust in Derby to secure successful condition improvement fund bids in the latest funding round.
The trust also committed £183,000 of its own funds towards the three projects, strengthening the applications.
Natalie Bartlett, head teacher of Borrow Wood Primary, said: “This funding will make a huge difference to our school comm nity. Over the years, the condition of the roof has caused disruption in classrooms, with leaks meaning children and staff have sometimes had to work around buckets during wet weather.We’ve never let that stop the fantastic teaching and learning taking place, but we’re incredibly excited that this long-standing issue can now be addressed. “The new roof will transform both the appearance and day-to-day experience of our school. It will create a brighter, more welcoming environment where children and staff can make full use of every classroom, whatever the weather.”
Ian Dewes, trust chief executive, added: “Securing this funding is fantastic news for our pupils, staff and school communities. “It allows us to invest in the fabric of our schools, ensuring they remain safe, sustainable and fit for the future. The improvements may not always be the most visible, but they make a significant difference to the day-to-day experience of everyone in our schools”
Jonathan Davies, MP for Mid Derbyshire, said that visiting local schools is one of the highlights of his role as an MP. He said: “Ensuring that school buildings are safe, properly heated, and waterproof is vital in allowing students and teachers to thrive and prosper in an environment that can otherwise distract from learning. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these projects on my future visits.”
source https://uk.news.yahoo.com/buckets-catch-rain-classrooms-thing-050000786.html
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