Primary school needs votes to win playground makeover

The current playground at St Gabriel’s RC Primary School in Castleton

A Rochdale primary school has made it to the final of a nationwide competition to win playground equipment worth £30,000.

St Gabriel’s RC Primary School in Castleton is one of six finalists in the competition held by Ronseal.

The school, on Vicarage Road South, is the only school in the North West to have made it to the final and now needs votes to ensure it scoops the prize of a playground makeover.

The competition’s winner will be the school with the most votes, cast through the Ronseal Facebook page.

Head teacher, Claire Ahern, is urging people to vote and was keen to remind people that St Gabriel’s is the only school in the North West to have got this far.

She said: “The main reason we entered is because the children work very hard and we think they deserve an enjoyable playground, somewhere fun where they can let off steam, learn, grow and play.

“We also want to expand our outdoor learning; we have done a little for the foundation stage but nothing for the rest of the school.

“It is a big space but it is very bland at the moment and we want to expand the learning opportunities.”

Ms Ahern added: “The children work very hard trying to generate income for other organisations such as Cafod and St Joseph’s Penny and it would be great if they could be the recipients of that.”

To vote for St Gabriel’s visit: http://www.ronsealplayground.co.uk/