Sellafield Ltd transforms school’s outdoor learning space
A team of volunteers from Sellafield Ltd’s Warrington offices took up the challenge to transform a local school in Warrington – and exceeded expectations.
Over 80 people from the company, more used to delivering complex nuclear projects for the Sellafield site in Cumbria, carried out much-needed renovation work at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School’s outdoor education space.
Pauline Deans, Community Liaison Officer at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We have a long history of supporting our local communities, and this year’s challenge, alongside our supply chain partners, needed people with gardening, painting and joinery skills to refurbish the school’s learning area, polytunnel and sensory planting area.
“The successful project has benefited the school’s students, teachers and volunteers, also helped to develop our employees leadership, team working and observation skills and put into practice the principles of social responsibility.”
Headteacher, Mrs Scott-Herron said: “Sir Thomas Boteler is fully committed to bringing education to life, and we do this through our outdoor education space for science and horticulture.
“We always try to ensure we are giving our students the best possible learning experience and this project will enable us to do this. The work the students do such as planting seeds is then taken into the local community to demonstrate that we really do care about where we live.”
The science and horticulture programme gives students essential skills in biology, gardening and grounds maintenance. It has also been successful in giving young people leadership and business opportunities.
Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid visited the community project, and said: “Sellafield Ltd is one of our town’s major businesses, and it was great that some of their staff took time out from their daily roles to bring this exciting project to life. The school in my constituency will benefit greatly from being able to use these new facilities.
“I would like to thank Sellafield Ltd for their involvement in this project and giving back to the community.”
Another local stakeholder to witness progress during the day’s challenge was Mayor of Warrington, Karen Mundry who complimented the company for its long-term commitment to socio economic activities in the town.
School volunteer Andy Barber added: “I really appreciate the support of Sellafield Ltd staff. This project will have a significant impact on the work we are able to undertake with our young people and community and we will hopefully become a Learning Hub for such projects in the future.”
