Pupils at Chaddlewood Primary School are able to make the most of their outdoor learning environment, once again, thanks to support from Wales & West Utilities which has helped overhaul and rebuild the outdoor play and learning area.
The large decking area, which has been in use for over seven years, provides the base for the school’s mud kitchen and interactive outdoor play area, but damaged and broken boards had made it unsafe. With the decision to close the area off, children were left missing valuable opportunities to access an important part of their learning environment.
With engineers from the gas emergency and pipeline service working on an ongoing programme to upgrade the gas pipes in the nearby area, Wales & West Utilities lent a helping hand and was only too pleased to support the school with the replacement decking, benefitting pupils for years to come.
Rachael Jones, Operations Manager, at Chaddlewood Primary School said:
“Replacing the decking has created a safe and accessible outdoor area that all pupils can use confidently throughout the year. The rebuilt space is welcoming and encourages collaborative play, exploration and physical activity, while supporting children’s wellbeing, independence and emotional development.
“For many children, especially those with SEND, access to high-quality outdoor provision can improve engagement, reduce anxiety and provide important opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
“The project has added significant value to the children’s school experience by increasing access to outdoor learning opportunities, enhancing safety and ensuring that the outdoor environment remains an integral part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
“On behalf of our staff, pupils and their families I would like to thank the engineers for their hard work - it has made such a positive difference!”
The support comes as Wales & West Utilities works to upgrade gas pipes across the Westfield area of Plymouth. The intensive programme of mains replacement works, which will run until April next year, will see around 10 kilometres of gas pipes upgraded to benefit local customers. The support to the school is part of the company’s commitment to creating a positive social impact in the communities where it works.
Wales & West Utilities Louise Alfaresi helped organise the community project and said:
“We are making good progress with our upgrade work and recognise that our essential improvements can sometimes cause disruption for local communities, so it’s important to us that we look for opportunities to give something back while we’re working in an area.
“We were delighted to support Chaddlewood Primary with the rebuilding of its decking, and it’s rewarding to know that these improvements will help make outdoor learning more accessible and inclusive for all pupils.”
For more information about work in your area, visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/gas-pipe-upgrade-projects/. As projects begin, customers can also find out what to expect from the work at www.wwutilities.co.uk/services/gas-pipe-upgrades/.
If you have further queries about the project, our Customer Service Team is here to help. You can call us free on 0800 912 2999, message us on X (@WWUtilities), or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/wwutilities.
Wales & West Utilities is the gas emergency and pipeline service, delivering energy to over 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England. We don’t sell gas; we transport it through an extensive underground network of more than 35,000 kilometres of pipes.
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately. Trained engineers are available 24/7 to respond and keep you safe.