Sherdley Primary School in St Helens Win National Canopy Contest

AFTER collecting an impressive 1,730 votes from supporters, Sherdley Primary School were announced as the winners of a shade sail in a competition run by canopy suppliers A&S Landscape. The Primary School saw off competition from 103 other Schools to collect the most votes and win the canopy. In the end the contest was a tight battle as Sherdley Primary School only won by 18 votes, pipping St George's School, on the Isle of Wight to the post.

A&S Landscape 1st launched the contest in March 2021 with the aim of helping to make a difference to the pupils, staff and community of the winning School after such a tough year during the Covid19 Pandemic. The competition quickly gained interest and over the course of five months, more than 48,000 votes were cast for the entered Schools.

When asked why the shade sail would be important to Sherdley Primary School, Assistant Headteacher Katie Bennett, said:- "At Sherdley we have a huge outdoor space. It is invaluable to supporting play, fun, curriculum and overall emotional wellbeing of our children. The challenge that we have is the ground is so open, therefore on gloriously hot summer days, we struggle to get the optimum use out of our grounds. This shade would provide us with much-needed shade and be able to fully enjoy our outdoor space."

The decision to launch the competition came at the start of the year, as the UK was put into a 3rd lockdown. Competition Coordinator, Lucy Grime at A&S Landscape shared why it was important for them to give back to Schools at this time:- "After facing hardships and challenges throughout the Covid19 Pandemic, we were all too aware that many Schools were struggling to continue making improvements to their facilities due to a lack of budget and manpower. We decided to run a competition to give away a shade sail to help spread some positivity and make a difference to the winning School."

Although the shade sail competition is now closed, A&S Landscape also supports the Community Recycle Scheme which is an initiative set up to donate 2nd hand, overstocked and unsellable items to Schools. A full list of the available stock can be seen online, where Schools can also request an item:- AAndSLandscape.Co.UK.
 

Most parents "Don't want longer School Days" for compulsorily catch up

MOSE parents (56%) do not want the School day compulsorily extended to give children an extra ˝ hour of academic catch up, a survey of 888 parents by Parentkind and Child Poverty Action Group has found, but there is strong support for more extra curricular activities out of School hours. Opposition to an extra ˝ hour of compulsory catch up in School; which Ministers are reportedly considering; is strongest among parents with children at Secondary School; 63% don't like the idea, compared to 52% of parents with Primary School children.

A large majority (79%) of parents say any extension of Schooling; for any purpose; must be optional, not compulsory. 32% would support a longer School day for optional rather than compulsory academic learning but most (65%) would welcome an extension for optional extra curricular provision like physical activities, music, art and drama. Parents are especially keen (60%) to have more physical activities before or after School.

Among parents on means tested benefits, 3 in 5 said extra curricular provision before and after School would give their children access to opportunities that might otherwise be difficult for them to provide. 2 in 5 said it would mean they or their partner could work or work more. Seventy per cent said having to pay for activities would make it less likely their child could attend.

Many Schools across England deliver services and activities that go beyond the core function of the School day; like:- breakfast clubs, homework clubs, sport and music lessons. But these are usually funded by charities and fundraising. As not every School has the money or capacity to do them, provision is patchy.

CPAG and Parentkind are urging Government to boost its Covid19 education recovery plan by providing Schools with adequate funding to develop low or no cost, before and after School extra curricular programmes to support pupils and families in their communities. This Autumn's Spending Review must include dedicated funding for this purpose, the charities say.

Parentkind CEO John Jolly said:- "As parents are a primary stakeholder in children's education, it's only right that policymakers take notice of their views. This past year and a ˝ has seen the parental role in education increase dramatically, and many want it to stay that way. Parents are well placed to know which education recovery options will work well for their child, and parent voice is clear on this issue. The majority want to see more extra curricular activities that will help children's learning and the development of character and skills, but they will also provide all important chances to socialise and have some much needed fun. These opportunities are especially urgent for children from more disadvantaged families."

Head of CPAG's Cost of the School Day programme Kate Anstey said:- "Extra curricular activities around the School day can boost children's learning, development and well being and help parents to work. It's our responsibility to help children recover the ground they've lost to Covid19 and to back parents trying to stay afloat. The time to invest in extending extra curricular provision is now. To do less is to leave the life chances of the poorest children in jeopardy."

The methodology behind the short online survey, that was promoted to parents in England via social media, was active between 16 June and 29 June 2021. Parents were asked to answer the questions with their eldest child in mind. 888 parents completed the survey. 61% of parents responded with a Primary School child and 31% with a Secondary School child. 16% of respondents are receiving or are in the processing of applying for, means tested benefits.

For more information about Parentkind please visit:- Parentkind.Org.UK and also for more information about the Child Poverty Action Group, please go to:- CPAG.Org.UK.