PUPILS of Chilton Foliat Primary School are jumping for joy after the school received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund for new playground equipment.

The school, received a grant of £9,524 from the Big Lottery Fund and a further contribution of £787 from the Friends of Chilton Foliat Primary School which was raised after a year of fundraising activities.

Headteacher Denise Weston said: “The kids absolutely love it. We have had to put a rota up for when everyone can use it. We found out at the end of the last school year we were getting the grant. It is a very welcome addition to the school. The staff are very happy with it indeed."

The equipment is now laid out in a circuit and includes parallel bars, a tyre crossing, a gripped rope wall, a balance beam and a log trail. It also features safety surfacing to encourage the children to use the area as much as possible throughout the school year.

“The new play equipment will help achieve the recommendation that children participate in a minimum of 60 minutes’ physical activity each day and the equipment will be integrated into lessons, break times, after school clubs and extra-curricular activities to ensure that each pupil reaches this target.We are a small rural school which prides itself on offering the best possible outdoor space for our children and the steadily increasing numbers on our roll,” added Mrs Weston.

The circuit can also be timed to encourage the pupils and promote competition where appropriate. The school also hopes it will increase the awareness of the children’s own bodies, balance, agility and capabilities.