Wigley Primary's eco-friendly classrooms project
Donation protected
As Headteacher of two fabulous, small, rural schools in Derbyshire (Penny Acres and Wigley Primary Schools), I am writing to seek financial support for the construction of two circular, timber-framed prefabricated eco-buildings to act as additional teaching and office space at Wigley Primary School (See design below)
At Wigley Primary School, we currently house our Reception class in a space that doubles as a corridor, cloakroom and stairwell and it is woefully inadequate for the increasing numbers of pupils that we are seeing in the school, particularly those with additional needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Mutism, Dyspraxia and the ever-increasing popularity of our school. This space also provides access to our disabled toilet facility (which doubles as the staff toilet).
In addition to this, the current office (shared by both the school business officer and myself), doubles as a meeting room, staffroom, staff kitchen and photocopying room, again not conducive to the effective running of a school.
I have been in post as Headteacher for the Federation of Penny Acres and Wigley Primary Schools since November 2018 and am told that there has been several attempts in the past to find a solution to the space issues including modular builds, mezzanine floors and extensions, all ruled out due to tight planning restrictions, objections and lack of funds. Through careful budgeting and fund raising, our school community have managed to raise 50% (50k) of the estimated cost and although I have opened dialogue with Derbyshire County Council about the possibility of match funding, we are unlikely to be considered when funds become available due to the majority of our children being from ‘out of catchment.’
Due to parental choice and an increasing reputation of school, our children come from far and wide and our very rural location means we don’t have a catchment of our own. My team and I strongly believe that our children should, and deserve to have the same level of facilities as other schools locally.
Any donations will go a long way in ensuring that we achieve our goal of completing the building in the timeframe the approved planning permission I have obtained allows (3 years). We promise to embrace transparency in all transactions and details of how the donations were used will be made available at every stage.
I would also welcome discussions and when able to, visits to school, to give you more information about our fantastic little school. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Mr David Ratcliffe – Executive Headteacher for the Federation of Penny Acres and Wigley Primary Schools.
At Wigley Primary School, we currently house our Reception class in a space that doubles as a corridor, cloakroom and stairwell and it is woefully inadequate for the increasing numbers of pupils that we are seeing in the school, particularly those with additional needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Mutism, Dyspraxia and the ever-increasing popularity of our school. This space also provides access to our disabled toilet facility (which doubles as the staff toilet).
In addition to this, the current office (shared by both the school business officer and myself), doubles as a meeting room, staffroom, staff kitchen and photocopying room, again not conducive to the effective running of a school.
I have been in post as Headteacher for the Federation of Penny Acres and Wigley Primary Schools since November 2018 and am told that there has been several attempts in the past to find a solution to the space issues including modular builds, mezzanine floors and extensions, all ruled out due to tight planning restrictions, objections and lack of funds. Through careful budgeting and fund raising, our school community have managed to raise 50% (50k) of the estimated cost and although I have opened dialogue with Derbyshire County Council about the possibility of match funding, we are unlikely to be considered when funds become available due to the majority of our children being from ‘out of catchment.’
Due to parental choice and an increasing reputation of school, our children come from far and wide and our very rural location means we don’t have a catchment of our own. My team and I strongly believe that our children should, and deserve to have the same level of facilities as other schools locally.
Any donations will go a long way in ensuring that we achieve our goal of completing the building in the timeframe the approved planning permission I have obtained allows (3 years). We promise to embrace transparency in all transactions and details of how the donations were used will be made available at every stage.
I would also welcome discussions and when able to, visits to school, to give you more information about our fantastic little school. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Mr David Ratcliffe – Executive Headteacher for the Federation of Penny Acres and Wigley Primary Schools.
Organizer and beneficiary
David Ratcliffe
Organizer
Emma Deakin
Beneficiary