School pupils in Kent kitted out for wet weather play

Persimmon Homes South East is helping children at a primary school near Sittingbourne in Kent enjoy the great outdoors no matter what the weather.

Hartlip Church of England Endowed Primary School follows the OPAL programme – Outdoor Play and Learning – and encourage pupils to embrace the changing seasons rather than hiding away indoors during wet weather.

They have a sand pit, water table and mud kitchen in their school playground, and now they can enjoy them without getting their uniform dirty.

The school applied for a Community Champions grant and were awarded £1,000 to purchase puddle suits for the whole school.

The waterproof all-in-one suits will protect their uniforms while they embrace the play opportunities in the wet, windy and even snowy weather.

Headteacher Tracey Jerome said: "We teach the children that there is no such thing as a bad weather day, only a badly dressed day!

"The generous provision of the puddle suits means that children can learn and understand this, enjoying their play in all weathers.

"At Hartlip School high quality play is as important to us as our core academics. It is delightful to provide all children with equal access to this entitlement."

Kerri Bland, Director of Planning for Persimmon Homes South East, visited the school to hear more about OPAL.

She said: “At Persimmon Homes we appreciate the value of play space for children and we are delighted to see the facilities here at Hartlip Primary School. The school’s ethos is inspiring, encouraging children to learn through play, and it is a pleasure to be able to provide the funding for the puddle suits so they can continue to do that through all seasons.”

Cllrs Chris and Richard Palmer, Swale Borough Council Ward Members for Hartlip, said: “We were very pleased to attend Hartlip School. In this day and age, we must remember how much children benefit from being outside and how many life skills can be learned through play.

“It was a refreshing experience to witness a developer investing in the future of local children and it was clear that the children were very excited at the prospect of having the all-weather suits provided through the grant from Persimmon Homes.”