Fundraising appeal launched to help Sheffield school build obstacle course

Nether Edge Primary School, on Glen Road, is hoping to install the obstacle course on its yard to provide a place for its students to play, have fun and stay healthy.

The idea was thought up by the school council – made up of children from Year 1 through to Year 6 – who then helped choose the pieces of equipment for the course, including things such as wobbly bridges and stepping stones.

There is currently a climbing wall, sensory garden, tarmac football pitches and a separate playground for reception children within the grounds and it is hoped the obstacle course will add to this.

Harriet Stevenson, early years leader and Parent-Teacher Association liaison officer said: “It’s good for their physical development and their gross motor skills. Also because the playground is quite bare there aren't many things to do so it is creating another opportunity, and we are trying to create other opportunities at low cost.”

The city centre school needs a total of £10,000 for the design, safety surfacing and installation of the course.

Around £5,000 has already been secured with the help of the Parents Teacher Association through grants from the Freshgate Trust, the Sheffield Town Trust and the Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group as well as fundraising activities including bake sales and selling freshments at school performances.

The school is appealing for help to raise the remaining funds, with a view to installing the course during the Easter holidays.

Parent and PTA member Tom Shaw said: “It’s quite exciting that it is something the kids really want. There is fairly limited play equipment in the playground at the moment. The school doesn’t have any money to pay for any extra equipment due to the lost money per pupil over the years because of austerity.

“We are keen to get the kids moving, to see them happy and playing outside and recognise that’s an important part of the wider school experience. I think we’re about £2,000 short of our final target at this point.”

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nepsobstaclecourse