Are you sitting comfortably?

Fri, Jun 16th 2006, 11:00

Pupils from Northolmes Primary School, Horsham got their happy ending thanks to a generous donation from Redrow Homes.

The award-winning house builder stepped up with the £350 needed to supply a storyteller for the primary school’s “Book Week” after being contacted by the school council’s chairman, 11-year-old James Foot.

Head teacher of Northolmes, Sandra Ashby, explains: “The school council is run by the pupils to give them a voice in the school. The children came up with the idea of getting in contact with Redrow, whose OneEighty development is opposite the school. We needed a sponsor to fund the visit of a storyteller who would be an important part of our Book Week. Redrow did not hesitate in helping us out and we were so pleased to receive the money. We had a brilliant week thanks to Redrow!”

The donation provided by Redrow has had a major impact on the school. There was enough money to cover the cost of two storytellers and the children enjoyed it so much, one of them was asked to stay on for an extra half day visit.

The letter to Redrow is one of many things young members of the council have done to make their school rule. The council, which is in its third year, has created rules for the playground, collected money for charity, organised events such as inter-school football matches within a budget and they recently helped in the appointment of a new assistant head teacher after candidates endured an intensive interview by the council!

Sandra says: “The council interviewed potential assistant heads and when we compared our interview notes with theirs, we found the children had asked some very probing questions! We actually recruited the pupils’ choice because they were so thorough and had covered aspects of the candidates that the adult panel had missed. The children run a very proactive council and writing to Redrow was entirely their own plan. They knew what was needed and they asked a trustworthy company for help. All the children and staff would like to thank Redrow for their financial support.”

Paul Moran, sales director for Redrow (Southern), said: “We recognise the importance of corporate support for schools as they are such an important part of the communities in which we build. Not only are we helping to get children interested in reading in a new and interactive way, but we could also be inspiring the writers of the future.

“This donation also complements our own educational activities, including Buster the Bear, our health and safety mascot who teaches children about the potential dangers of playing on building sites, and also the Redrow Learning Web, an online educational resource with modules for primary and secondary school children.”

Redrow’s website includes a teachers’ area to help them plan lessons and guide their pupils, meets with National Curriculum requirements and has been accredited by the National Grid for Learning.”

Redrow’s presence in the area is going to grow now the house builder is getting underway with its OneEighty development on Crawley Road. The new apartment scheme is due for release in September and will comprise of 44 two -bed apartments on the site of a former service station. It is close to Horsham town centre, which boasts all the amenities you could need, with its many high street retail outlets as well as two shopping centres.

For information about Redrow’s developments across the Southern region call 01256 366450.

For details of the Redrow Learning Web and Buster the Bear visit www.education.redrow.co.uk