A DEVELOPER in Somerset has ‘given a helping hand’ to an Ilminster school by presenting them with a large sum of money, which will be put toward a new outdoor playground.
Persimmon Homes South West donated £1,000 to Herne View Church of England Primary School, presenting the cheque to teachers and pupils after the February half-term break.
The school, which opened in 2022 and is home to 405 pupils, believes learning should be fun for children and strives to give every child a broad, balanced, and enjoyable curriculum and experience learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, ‘in a range of creative ways’.
Its curriculum includes all classes accessing Forest School and having an ongoing commitment to arts and sports.
Teachers said they talked to the children about future careers and life skills, and can offer extensive facilities for a primary school with outside Forest School, gardening classrooms, gymnasium, and cookery, art, and STEM/Design Technology rooms.
As a split-site primary school, the staff have said they ensure children across both sites can access the full range of facilities and have said they are fortunate the sites are in easy walking distance to each other.
Claire Oaten, headteacher of Herne View CofE Primary School, said: “We would like to thank Persimmon Homes South West for their generous donation and for supporting a school local to their future plans.
“We intend to use the donation for a new outdoor playground activity trail for the children, which will be installed this Summer as part of our works to bring the school onto one site at Ditton St.
“Our children will be involved in designing this trail, and who knows, this may inspire some to become future designers of the future.”
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Persimmon Homes was formally granted outline planning permission for a major new residential development of 400 homes in Ilminster at the end of last year and has submitted its detailed application for the first 100 properties.
The homes, to be built on land south-west of Canal Way, will be powered by air source heat pumps and equipped with electric vehicle charging points, 35 per cent of the properties are being transferred to a social housing provider for local people.
The developer said the recently finalised Section 106 agreement unlocks nearly £3.5 million of investment into community services, infrastructure and facilities, supporting ‘a lasting legacy for Ilminster’ while creating new jobs during construction. It comes alongside a package of environmental and ecological enhancement at the site.
Persimmon Homes South West sales director Stacey Harris said: “Persimmon has a proud record of helping schools through our Community Champions programme, and we are happy to do so once again with Herne View CofE Primary School.
“We believe that supporting education is critical to developing future generations of skilled housebuilders as well as demonstrating our commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy where we build, especially as a significant developer in Somerset with plans to bring 400 much-needed homes to Ilminster.”
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