Hennock school unveils new playground after 'community pulls together'

A new nature-rich playground and garden has been unveiled at Hennock Primary School following a major fundraising effort involving parents, local businesses and community organisations.

The Moorlander attended the official opening of the outrdoor space on Friday 11 September, with the school now preparing to welcome visitors as part of the Hennock & Teign Village Garden & Craft Festival this weekend.

The project has been led by the Hennock School Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) and includes new play and outdoor learning areas, planting, sensory features, musical elements, sand play areas, timber structures, a bridge and a bespoke children's mosaic.

Children were involved in the design of the playground, suggesting features and animals for the mosaic and contributing artwork to the finished space.

Mr John Harvey, treasurer and chair of Hennock Community Primary PTFA, delivered a speech to those in attendance, and said the project had been driven by the need to give the rural school a stronger future.

“For rural schools to survive and thrive, we need to attract pupils,” he said.

“There is no funding from government for playgrounds. Four or five years ago there was no financial stability.”

A gallery of images from yesterday afternoon’s opening can be viewed below.

The school shares headteacher Mr. Anthony Arnold with nearby Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School.

Around 40 children attend Hennock, while Widecombe has just under 100 pupils.

Harvey said the site had experienced “constant flooding problems” since a swimming pool was removed many years ago, adding that the project had involved working in temperatures of up to 35C.

He said the experience had highlighted three lessons:

1. Communities needed to work together,
2. A “can-do attitude” is sometimes needed in life, and
3. The project demonstrated what “exceptional value for money” looks like.

Parents have also been closely involved in the school’s development.

Debbie, a Hennock parent who grew up in the village and attended the school herself, said there had been around 20 children at the school when she was a pupil.

She now has children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at Hennock.

For her, the project represents a full circle, while providing a much-improved space for the next generation of pupils.

Staff said the new outdoor area would also give children more options when they needed quieter spaces, with places to sit and read as well as areas for active play.

One member of staff described the school as having a “tight-knit community” and said the new space meant all the children could be outside together.

“I hear the wind chimes from my office every morning,” they said.

The project also includes provisions for outdoor use when the weather is less favourable.

Funding and support have come from a range of sources.

The Arts Society Teignbridge contributed £500 towards the project. June Palmer, representing the organisation, said the group was approached by the school towards the end of the academic year and decided to make the donation.

A fifth annual barn dance will take place on Saturday 3 October, which has become a major fundraiser and has raised around £15,000 over the years.

The finished project is now being opened to the public as part of the Hennock & Teign Village Garden & Craft Festival.

The school will be open from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, September 12, and from 11am to 4.30pm on Sunday, September 13.

Visitors will be able to see the new playground and garden, view children's artwork and take part in a nature-rich workshop.

The school is also encouraging families considering their children's education to visit and find out more about life at a small rural primary school.

For the parents, staff and volunteers involved, however, the project is about more than creating a new playground.

And at Hennock, that support has now produced a new outdoor space for the children who are there today, and those the school hopes will follow them.