Firm’s grand gesture will boost school

A primary school in Blantyre has been nominated as a Community Champion by a regional builder.

High Blantyre Primary School has received £1000 funding from Persimmon Homes West Scotland to provide better learning equipment and experiences for its pupils.

Catering for 60 pre-five nursery children, 24 children with complex additional support needs and 10 classes of mainstream primary children, High Blantyre Primary School aim to offer fun and interesting learning opportunities to all.

The school is currently raising money to subsidise the cost of pantomime tickets and transport as well as repairs to the much-loved playground ‘trimtrail’.

Tickets for trips can be costly for families so this may be an opportunity for some pupils to experience the magic of theatre for the first time.

The ‘Trimtrail’ is used both informally at break times as well as part of PE lessons to improve the fitness and balance of students.

High Blantyre Primary School has already raised £2700 at their recent Christmas Fair so they applied to Persimmon Homes for the necessary matched funding.

Catherine Meechan, headteacher at High Blantyre Primary School, said: “Having been unable to use some parts of the trimtrail due to damage, it has been frustrating and disappointing for our pupils. We very much look forward to everything being in working order by spring.

“Funding from Persimmon Homes West Scotland will allow us to achieve our targets and to plan for more great experiences in the future.”

Doug Law, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said: “High Blantyre Primary School work hard to ensure all pupils are given the best possible education and we are proud to have provided them with a £1000 cash boost through our Community Champions scheme.”

The Persimmon Community Champions initiative is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1000 to match money they have already raised themselves.