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St Margaret’s School is an Infant and Primary School situated in the
Crossgate and Framwellgate ward of Durham City. The Friends of St Margaret’s
group raise money to buy items of equipment and pay for fun events which are
not covered by their statutory funding, with the overall purpose being to
enhance the education of children who attend the school. This particular ward
is not classed as an area of multiple deprivation and therefore the school
does not receive any priority funding from the LEA. As such St Margaret’s
struggles to gain the funds it requires to make necessary improvements within
the school. The friends group therefore work hard to raise funds for the benefit
of the 365 children currently attending the school.
Friends of St Margaret’s received £6,000 to contribute
towards the cost of resurfacing the upper playground area as part of a 'School
Environment' regeneration project.
The friends group applied to County Durham Foundation for a grant because
their playground was in a terrible state. The surface was badly broken making
it dangerous for the children to play games and impossible to paint onto,
leaving a very dull space with little to occupy the children during breaks.
Our grant enabled the whole outside area to undergo a facelift, starting with
the resurfacing of the upper yard. With the new surface in place the school
was able to paint a netball court, hopscotch and other games onto the playground,
creating a multi-function sports facility and play area, complete with seating
for spectators. The grounds were then brightened up by some creative landscaping
including four planters, which have become the focus of a new Gardening Club.
The final touches were added with brightly coloured murals that were painted
on the walls surrounding the playground.
These improvements have not only made a huge difference to the school, they
will also benefit the wider community as many of the school’s outdoor
facilities are open to the public.
We spoke to some very enthusiastic pupils from the school council who had
the following feedback to give about their new play area:
“Before our yard was quite dull and there was not much to
do, now it is much brighter and we don’t get hurt as much because it’s
not so uneven now.”
“It makes playing netball better and easier, we can now have matches
and play against other schools.”
“Thank you for brightening up our yard and making it a better, friendlier
place.”
