Marquee firm came to the rescue as school had to adapt

A Sidlesham-based marquee firm ‘came to the rescue’ for Bosham Primary School when it welcomed more of its students back.

Teachers ‘spurred into action’ after the government announced that primary schools could welcome back additional children from June 1. However, with nofield area within the grounds, staff were faced with a challenge.

“Anyone who knows the school well will appreciate how challenging this task has been due to our unique classroom layout and lack of both internal and external space,” deputy headteacher Lisa Harris said.

“We had to be creative in our approach and look further into the community for support to solve a number of challenges. We needed temporary classroom space, a space to prepare hot school meals and additional outside space so we can accommodate nine bubbles of children who should not mix.”

Usually, the school uses the parish recreation ground but they ‘must share it with the general public’. The football club kindly offered the use of barriers to section off an area for the school and the parish offices/youth club were set up as a space to prepare hot school meals as the school hall was being used as a classroom. However, the conundrum of where to house another temporary classroom remained.

“Our headteacher, Mrs [Debbie] Allen, made a tentative phone call to Pridewatch Events, a local marquee firm based in Sidlesham,” Mrs Harris said. “Twenty four hours later a solution was provided.”

An installation known as a ‘Meerkat Marquee’ became the new home for a bubble of Year 1 children. “We cannot thank Pridewatch Events enough for their kindness, professionalism and speedy service. They are true superheroes who came to the rescue in our hour of need.”