Pupils Enjoy New Play Area Thanks to £5,000 Grant Funding

Children at Ysgol Penycae can now enjoy new play facilities in their school yard thanks to a bid for Lottery funds put together by their deputy headteacher.

Laura McGee, deputy headteacher at Penycae, put a bid in for the funds at the start of the new year, and the new facility was built just a few weeks later after the bid was successful.

The new 20-metre long obstacle course – featuring equipment such as a wooden bridge and balancing beam – has already proven a hit with pupils.

Miss McGee said: “We didn’t have anything there before, it was just a stretch of ground before that. The children love it, they’re always on it. We’ve put together a rota so all the children get a chance to use it.

“It’s very popular. They love the challenge of it. We’re very keen to promote healthy lifestyles here at the school and give the children the opportunity to be even more active at breaktime.”

Tim Newbould, headteacher at the school, said: “The children really like it – it’s a made a really positive impact to playtimes.”

Cllr Joan Lowe, chair of the board of governors at Penycae, added: “It’s wonderful to see that the children have the chance to make use of such a fantastic facility.

“I know the emphasis the school places on healthy lifestyles, so anything that can be done at school to help the pupils become more active is very positive.”