Frome Mayor, cllr Anita Collier, was welcomed by Hayesdown First School to open their recently refurbished “Haven” building on Wednesday 10th December.
The school reports, “The Haven building stands in the playground and is well used at Hayesdown First School for breakfast club, after school club, small group learning and “Sunflower” Nurture provision. However, the building had not been updated since the school was built in 1973 and was beginning to look very tired and worn in places.
“The school, which is part of the Partnership Trust Academy chain, bid for funding from central government and found out in June that they had been successful in gaining £100,000 towards refurbishments to the roof.”
Headteacher, Julia Battersby said, “We were delighted that after many years of trying to gain funding, we were finally successful and could ensure that the building was brought up to the same high standard as the rest of the school. It has been an exciting project and the children have benefited greatly from the refurbished learning space.”
The school continued, “The Governors of the school added another £25,000 towards the project so that the internal space could also have a “make over” and in October the transformation was completed. The children now have brand new technology and Wi-Fi within the Haven, new carpets, storage, lighting, refitted toilets, in fact the whole space has been updated and modernised.”
Previously the building had been named the Palace but the school felt it was time for a name change, so they ran a completion for the children to choose a new name. The winning name was the Haven – chosen by a Year 4 pupil, Faigh. She chose the name because she thought it was a safe, quiet place to go to during the school day – for playing and learning. “I really love how the Haven looks now, it is so much nicer than before. The toilets are the best bit because they weren’t very nice before. I am pleased the name will carry on for many years, even when I leave Hayesdown,” said Faigh.
The school said, “The Mayor of Frome had a guided tour of the building and talked to children about what they liked about their improved Haven. Mrs Collier, who has two grandchildren at the school, then cut the ribbon and to officially open the Haven as part of the school.”
