Coventry's Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School launches appeal for wellies for new Outdoor Play and Learning scheme - The Coventry Observer

Coventry's Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School launches appeal for wellies for new Outdoor Play and Learning scheme

Coventry Editorial 3rd Feb, 2022   0

SACRED Heart Catholic Primary School has launched an appeal for wellies for the children after becoming one of the first in the West Midlands to sign up to the award-winning Outdoor Play and Learning scheme.

The project – being launched in April – will see several play zones set up, including a water area with a pond, mud kitchen, construction zone, sandpit, quiet spaces, hammocks and swings.

An OPAL mentor will help the school transform how the children go about play during break and lunchtimes in a bid to improve their health, wellbeing and happiness.

All sizes are needed and anyone who can provide new or used (but still waterproof) pairs can drop them off at the school in Brays Lane so every child at Sacred Heart can use the new area all year round.




A welly library in the school grounds will enable children to swap as they grow.

Sophie Newman, PE lead at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, said: “The children love playing at break and lunch times and already have access to a climbing frame as well as balls, hoops and skipping ropes, but as an outstanding school we wanted to take this one step further.


“Children spend 20 per cent of their primary school life playing, and the only other subjects that have so much time dedicated to them is maths and English.

“The scheme will see us transform our outdoor space, utilising areas which are currently unused and creating engaging areas and activities which can be used all year round to provide children with a positive play experience.

“Giving children the extra freedom to choose the activities they take part in has been found to support with development, encourage creativity and improve behaviour.”

Staff are currently being trained on supervising the activities and there will be ongoing training after the launch.

Sophie added: “It’s a big project for the school and we will be using our sports premium to fund it.

“We also want to ensure that all children can take part and are currently appealing for the donation of wellies as we understand that school shoes will not be suitable for a lot of the activities.

“We have around 420 children at the school so are appealing for all children’s sizes up to adult size 8 which can be dropped off at the school.

“We would also love to hear from any businesses who might have items such as guttering or pots and pans to donate for the project, or have skills such as carpentry and would like to donate their time to help create some of our new facilities.”

Email Sophie at [email protected] or call the school on 02476 453314 for more.

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