Jon Pilkington, director of Pilkington Estates and Paddy Kumar, deputy headteacher of St Peter’s C of E Primary School have a shared vision – to improve and revamp the school’s outdoor area.
An exciting new partnership has been launched in one of Plymouth’s most deprived areas with the aim of supporting a local school in improving the life chances of their pupils.
St. Peter’s, on Rendle Street, is situated just a few moments from the city centre, and its immediate surrounding area is listed within the top five per cent of the UK’s most deprived areas. The school has 120 pupils starting from Nursery to Year 6 and has already seen signs of improvement since being under new leadership since September.
However, one notable improvement that requires to be made, is the provision pupils have access to when learning and playing outdoors.
Paddy, who joined the school in September along with headteacher, Marc Wheeler, said:
“The school is blessed with a sizeable outdoor area that until recently has been forgotten. However, our aim is clear: We want to give our pupils, families, and the Stonehouse community an outdoor space to be proud of! It is great to have the backing and support of Pilkington Estates and we are incredibly excited to see how we can transform the school.”
Jon Pilkington added: “It’s been brilliant meeting with Mr Kumar and other staff across the school. It is clear that everyone desperately cares for the pupils and wants them to have something special.
“I have come on board with the project because as a company we want to give back to the community and our fundamental goal is to change many of the pupil’s way of thinking; to that of a child who feels valued and appreciated. We want their school to be a safe haven and one they cannot wait to come into. We are hoping this project will be the first of many for the school. Meeting many of the kids already has been incredibly humbling.”
Jon and Paddy are reaching out to local trades and business people to help in supporting the project. Paddy said:
“Think DIY SOS, because that’s what we are striving to do. Something as simple as a courtyard garden to learn how to grow your own veg, or a flowerpot on a balcony to some of these children will never be a reality and we plan to change that. I would ask anyone who feels they could help in anyway and wants to share in the enjoyment of this project to reach out. Through changing the mindsets of many of these young children, we can only hope in the long run, Plymouth becomes an even better place.”
The school’s year groups are in the process of drawing their ideas and their dreams for the garden and from that each year group will nominate their selected representative. The chosen designers will then be working together, with Pilkington’s production team to create their dream outcome.
Any company or individual who would like to be part of the project, should contact Pilkington Estates directly.
