Pupils climb the wall after playground revamp

A PLAYGROUND revamp is proving to be a big hit with pupils of a Yate primary school.

St Paul's Catholic Primary School has spent nearly £30,000 redesigning the area and installing new equipment, after planning, saving and fundraising for it for several years.

The biggest hit is the new climbing wall, which provides a physical challenge while also being "so much fun" to use, according to pupils.

The old equipment had been in place at the school in Sundridge Park for around 20 years, and head teacher Maxine Sewell said it had "come to the end of its natural life".

It was removed and replaced in February so the children got to use the new playground over the last term.

Mrs Sewell said: "The introduction of the new Early Years curriculum gave us an opportunity to re-think and re-design the provision.

"The play area for Reception class now includes many more opportunities for child-led learning through play, open ended activities, physical development activities and creative play.

"The children are really enjoying the challenge of the climbing wall and developing their skills.

"I am pleased that many years of planning have finally come to a conclusion with a wonderful play area for the youngest children in our school.

"It’s great to see them working with each other and developing language skills.

"I’m also proud to be able to showcase this provision to future parents and children of the school.”

A team from St Paul's took part in

Ear Wax Removal

this year's Institute of Engineering and Technology First Lego League competition held at Yate's Whirlpool factory in March.

The St Paul's team won the Rising All Star Award at the competition, where children from eight schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire were given a series of fast-paced challenges and games, using programmed Lego robots they had built at school.