News - Stenton Primary School utilises Covid-19 crisis fund...
children returning to school in the coming weeks, schools are under pressure to ensure the learning environment is Covid-19 safe. However, with the significant changes to the learning provision, the financial burden on Stenton Primary School would exceed its current budgets. After costing up the required changes to ensure a safe learning environment for the children, the school applied for a grant of £1,200 from Community Windpower and BeGreen Dunbar’s joint Covid-19 crisis fund. The funding was quickly agreed to ensure the school could prepare itself in plenty of time, ahead of the children’s arrival in August, to adhere to government guidelines. The money will be used for purchasing items that will help as much outdoor learning as possible, even if the weather isn’t sunny and warm. Those items include wipe clean cushions, putting a shelter over a storytelling area in the school’s playground, while also equipping each pupil with individual whiteboards, whiteboard pens as well as their own stationery supplies. The resources required are to ensure physical wellbeing in terms of government guidance around distancing, sharing of space and resources, and access to well-ventilated spaces. Stenton Primary School, just like others in East Lothian, is prioritising the physical and emotional wellbeing of its young people, while also ensuring a meaningful and stimulating learning experience in a safe environment, with a focus on outdoor learning. Diane Wood, community benefits director at Community Windpower, which operates the Aikengall Community Wind Farms in East Lothian, said: “Children need something to help focus on something positive, helping their mental health and encouraging stimulating activity, so returning to school is vital for their wellbeing and education. “It’s so important we support all members of our communities during this Covid-19 pandemic, which is why we didn’t hesitate when Stenton Primary School explained what they were planning to do with the funding. “I’m sure the positive impact on our young people and their families in being able to re-engage with the school experience will also resonate across our entire community.” For more information on the East Lothian Covid-19 crisis fund or to apply for support, contact Anouska Woods at BeGreen Dunbar on 07747 787 192 or anouska@communitywindpower.co.uk |