School ‘hugely appreciative’ as developer supports playground upgrade

An Essex school is set to see their playground transformed with the help of housebuilder Persimmon Homes Essex.

The developer donated £3,000 to Heybridge Primary School last week to support with their project to upgrade the outdoor space surrounding the village school.

Head teacher Simon Waltham explained: “We are blessed with a huge outside space for our children to use during lessons and at break times.

“However, we have no shade and when we have 400 children out there in the summer, it can be a real struggle.”

The parent, teacher and friends’ association has been fundraising to upgrade the outdoor space, and the school is about to see one section of the playground resurfaced.

The cash boost from Persimmon Homes will allow them to purchase sails to create shaded spots for the children to use in the summer.

Funding was made available through the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme, designed to create a lasting legacy within the wider community.

Persimmon also donated copies of their fiction book Cones and Building Homes which follows four traffic cones as they learn about construction site safety for the children to take home and enjoy with their families.

Matt Atton, Land Director of Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “We are proud to support great causes in those communities in which we are working and invested in”.

“We heard the school needed a helping hand to bring their project to fruition and were delighted to be able to offer a donation.”

Head teacher Simon Waltham added: “We have an excellent PTFA who run a significant number of events throughout the year. Without their work we would not be able to undertake this project.

“The donation from Persimmon is amazing and it is hugely appreciated. It will make a massive difference to what we can offer our children. We would like to say a big thank you to Persimmon.”

Persimmon Essex have plans to develop a site in Heybridge, creating 281 new homes to meet local demand including 120 homes which will be transferred to a Housing Association partner either for low cost home ownership or below market rent. The project will see a new bus stop created on Broad Street Green Road, new play parks and areas of public open space.