St Stephen’s Church School at Lansdown has launched a campaign to raise £50,000 to renovate and refurbish its hall.
Headteacher Claire Taylor in the hall | Photo © St Stephen’s Church School
As the only indoor space large enough to house all the pupils, the hall is one of the primary school’s most utilised and hardworking areas.
It undergoes several transformations each day – from a breakfast club venue to a dining hall, to a PE and games area and a space for baking or cookery lessons, as well as for assembly collective worship and after-school care.
St Stephen’s says the hall is used approximately 3,850 times a week by pupils, which over the course of an academic year adds up to just under 150,000 times.
In addition, it is used regularly as a performance or meeting space, and for community events.
Headteacher Claire Taylor said: “No doubt this is a beautiful space, with its high vaulted ceilings and oak floor, but it has had significant under-investment over the years and is no longer meeting the needs of our school and our community.
“When it was first built, St Stephen’s Primary was a much smaller school, and it was unlikely the hall was used as frequently or for as many different activities as it is today.
“There are parts that are really tired and in urgent need of repair but more than that, we want to bring it up to date and make it into a space that not only the school can use effectively but where our pupils, staff and families can gather and be proud of.”
She added: “This is the right moment, we’ve got the drive and we’ve got the ambition to raise the funds to make this space an amazing multi-purpose space environment for our school and our community.”
It is hoped that a full refurbishment can be carried out to include modern projector facilities, a sound system, space-efficient furniture, general decoration and upgraded flooring.
“All this will ensure we can carry on using the hall more efficiently and more effectively, and that the space continues to play an important role for many more years,” Claire added.
The fundraising campaign is called Go For 50! Supported by the PTFA, St Stephen’s is kicking off its fundraising campaign with Grow50! Thanks to sponsors We Are Penelope, each child has been given a £5 note and can work individually or together to use their creativity and entrepreneurial skills to turn this £5 into £50.
If every class reaches its fundraising target, this will raise £13,000 towards the hall’s refurbishment.
