Pupils returning to Water Orton Primary School after the summer break have been delighted at improvements to the site made possible thanks to the efforts of staff, generous patrons and governors.

Significant investment has been made over the summer to enhance both learning and play at the school based on Plank Lane. 

Representatives of the Coleshill Grammar School Trust, St. Peter and St. Pauls Parish Church, Water Orton Methodist Church, Water Orton Primary School Parent Teacher Association and local Councillors were present at a specially arranged Patrons Day to see how their donations had benefitted the school and wider community. 

Guests were able to view an external canopy which provides an extensive outdoor learning space, a suite of google chromebooks to supply IT support to lessons, a vibrant display of playground markings to creates opportunities for play and a trip to the new school library. 

There was also the presentation of a “safespace” which supports emotional moderation and de-escalation. This bespoke installation is a room within a room and is part of wider plans for a sensory based alternative learning environment. 

The itinerary of the day, held on Wednesday 21st September also included an assembly in which “Wildlife Kate” (McRae), a former Water Orton Teacher who has appeared on programmes such as Springwatch and Countryfile, explained to pupils plans for further development of the school grounds. 

Over 300 pupils joined the guests who learned about how the school was planning to develop spaces to support the raising of chickens and growing vegetables. Most ambitiously there are plans to develop an extended overgrown coppice into a community space known as Water Orton Wild. 

Chair of Governors, Steve Stuart, hosted the day alongside Acting Headteacher Emma Smith and Acting Deputy Chris Plow. Steve explained, “The school was built in 2019 in super quick time. Unfortunately, staff barely had time to unpack before the country went into lockdown. The development of outdoor spaces had not been addressed and also, we had a diverse set of needs and requirements as pupils returned.”

“The developments over the summer would not have been possible without grants and funding from the external parties we were able to welcome today, or the staff who have worked so hard to deliver for the children.”

“However, as a school we aren’t about simply receiving support, we want to be an engine for good in the village and provide opportunities for all in the community, not just those of school age. We have great plans to enable the growth of the community activity particularly in issues that are important to our children, such as the environment. Hopefully, lots of folks and businesses will want to get involved”