Trinity Church School’s PTA have begun fundraising for much needed improvements to the school grounds, which it hopes will result in its very own DIY SOS project.

The team say they have a very ambitious plan which will significantly improve facilities in the school grounds for outdoor learning and leisure facilities for the children.

Key features of the build include: creating steps so that the Early Years classes, including the Nursery, have improved access to the school playing field; a patio area for learning and recreation; and a slide (for when the children need to make a quick

return to the classroom!).

As well as improving the school grounds, there is a more ongoing element to the plan – installing the first of several planned ‘outdoor learning huts’, which will be individually themed to subjects, including Maths, Science, RE and English.

Outdoor learning and ‘Forest School’ have become key features at Trinity, and have many lasting benefits for the children, including enhanced personal and social communication skills; increased physical health; enhanced mental and spiritual health and enhanced spiritual, sensory, and aesthetic awareness.

With building initially scheduled to take place during the summer

holidays, the PTA have just two months to raise the £20,000 needed to make these changes to the school grounds and to purchase the first of the outdoor learning huts.

They were thrilled when, last week, the Big Local Radstock and Westfield Dragons’ Den awarded the project a small grant of £500 following a presentation by Co-Chair, Helen Lear and some students, which will go towards match funding for other funding applications being made.

The PTA has set up a crowdfunding page on Justgiving and the hope is also that local businesses will be able to assist the project with sponsorship to make their hopes for the school a reality.

A number of parents and staff have already committed their time and assistance (hard labour) for the work, but skilled craftsmen and the equipment itself need to be purchased to make it all safe and sound before the new school year starts in September.

Co-chair of the PTA, Donna Grantham, said: “What we have planned will greatly benefit the children’s experience at the school, not only does it allow easy access to the top playground in case of an emergency, the slide will be a fun and easy way to get from the top playground to the bottom.”

“As you know, Trinity Church School has been through some significant changes in the past eighteen months.

“The school was welcomed into the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership and, following a disappointing OFSTED rating, the staff, Trust and Governors have all worked extremely hard to raise standards and make sure the school is worthy of the children who attend.

“The PTA are committed to helping the school with this challenge by raising funds and helping the staff make the school a truly amazing place for all of the children once again.”