Builders donate towards outdoor play equipment at Derbyshire primary school

Bellway and Ashberry Homes jointly contributed the money to help Ripley Infant School improve its outdoor learning provision for Year 1 and 2 pupils returning to classes in September.

It comes after the school was fundraising to provide new play equipment and materials for students to enjoy in the open air during the summer term.

Bellway’s Coppice Heights and Ashberry Homes’ Amber Rise developments are both located off Whiteley Road, around a mile from the school, off Kirk Close.

Ripley Infant School head teacher Paula Doleman said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this donation from Bellway and Ashberry Homes.

“It is important for children to explore and learn about the world around them and that has been increasingly difficult due to the lockdown.

"We are therefore keen to encourage our pupils to spend more time learning and playing outdoors, particularly with the weather improving as summer approaches.”

Heidi Higgins, sales manager for Bellway added: “This past year has been a hard time for everyone, especially children, who have missed a large chunk of teaching due to the pandemic and have been unable to go outdoors and play with their friends.

“Providing children with the opportunity to play outdoors is particularly important at the moment, so we are more than happy to support this extremely worthwhile project.”

Both the Coppice Heights and Amber Rise developments started in June and will include a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Showhomes at Coppice Heights are available to view now while showhomes at Amber Rise will open in July.

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