One of Somerset’s largest house builders has given a helping hand to a school in Ilminster.

Persimmon Homes South West donated £1,000 to Herne View Church of England Primary School, presenting the cheque to teachers and pupils after the half term break last month.

The school, which opened in 2022 and is home to 405 pupils, believes learning should be fun for children and strive to give every child a broad, balanced, and enjoyable curriculum that lets them reach their potential and experience learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, in a range of creative ways.

Its curriculum includes all classes accessing Forest School and having an ongoing commitment to arts and sports. Teachers talk to the children about future careers and life skills and can offer extensive facilities for a primary school with outside Forest School, gardening classrooms, gymnasium, and cookery, art, and STEM/Design Technology rooms.

As a split site primary school, they ensure children across both sites can access the full range of facilities and are fortunate the sites are in easy walking distance to each other.

The accredited five-star builder were formally granted outline planning permission for a major new residential development of 400 high-quality homes in Ilminster at the end of last year and has submitted its detailed application for the first 100 properties.

The homes, to be built on land south-west of Canal Way will be powered by air source heat pumps and equipped with electric vehicle charging points, 35% of the properties being transferred to a social housing provider for local people.

The recently finalised Section 106 agreement also unlocks nearly £3.5 million of investment into community services, infrastructure and facilities, supporting a lasting legacy for Ilminster while creating new jobs during construction. It comes alongside an extensive package of environmental and ecological enhancement at the site.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris said “Persimmon has a proud record of helping schools through our Community Champions programme, and we are happy to do so once again with Herne View CofE Primary School.

“We believe that supporting education is critical to developing future generations of skilled housebuilders as well as demonstrates our commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy where we build, especially as a significant developer in Somerset with plans to bring 400 much-needed homes to Ilminster.”

Claire Oaten, Headteacher of Herne View CofE Primary School, added “We would like to thank Persimmon Homes South West for their generous donation and supporting a school local to their future plans.

“We intend to use the donation for a new outdoor playground activity trail for the children which will be install this Summer as part of our works to bring the school on to one site at Ditton St.

“Our children will be involved in designing this trail and who knows, this may inspire some to become future designers of the future."