Community gives school a makeover
An Arley Junior school is having its summer transformation with a hugely successful community project making a return.
Last year hundreds of volunteers descended on Ash Green School to completely re-decorate the buildings within a week. And this week Herbert Fowler Junior School in Ansley Lane, Arley, is set for the same challenge.
Hundreds of volunteers are working against the clock to transform twenty-one rooms, including the school hall, in a week. Volunteers are giving up their time to redecorate the school and local firms are donating everything from paint and furniture, to refreshments for the workers.
Community volunteers including congregations from the Kings Church in Bedworth and other local churches are helping out alongside governors, teachers and parents. A local artist is also lending her skills to the project by painting an inspirational mural for the school.
Head Teacher Linda Weyman said: “We have experienced difficulties during the last school year but the summer term has seen a turn around. Ofsted put us into the category of special measures earlier in the year but the latest review from the inspectors was very positive and our Key Stage 2 results were a marked improvement on the previous two years. We have had some recent internal improvements such as new double doors but this complete makeover is going to transform the school, boost morale and give everyone in the community a great sense of pride. The response has been magnificent and volunteers are working right round the clock. Working parents who have been eager to support the project are coming along to help out from 5pm-10pm.”
One of the organisers, Jeff Robinson, said: “When we did Ash Green last year it took a while for people to understand what we were doing but enthusiasm grew for the project. Everyone got such a buzz out of it that this time we’ve had a rush of people and companies wanting to be involved and contribute. Although we had a lot of pupils from Ash Green give up their holiday to come along, we will not be able to involve the children from Herbert Fowler during the actual makeover as they are younger. However the pupils have been playing a vital role in helping the teachers choose the colour scheme for their classrooms.”
If you would like to support the project, it is not too late, please contact Linda Weyman, Head Teacher, on 01676 540348.