Sheen Mount are so lucky to have the space they do in the field, given it is a London school but sadly it is not as useable as it should be. Over at least the last five years the field has had its challenges, despite ongoing investment to reseed and rejuvenate it. For context, work to date in re-seeding has cost the school £2,000 a year. In late Autumn and Winter it is too muddy and waterlogged, or frozen for children to play on and in late Spring/Summer despite interventions, the grass does not grow and the holes appear which creates a space which simply cannot be used - and lots of dust! Overall, the children tend to only be able to use the grass space for less than 50% of the year and when they are on it, the purpose it is meant to serve isn’t possible. The school are keen to prioritise creating a space that is fit for purpose, that enhances children's physical health, physical skills, mental health and of course their connection with having fun in the outside world.

With the above in mind, they plan to create a space in the current field location which contains a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) pitch, as well as nurturing and enhancing the natural woodland areas (working closely with a conservationist), so that they can be used for both sports and forest days, as well as general play. The area proposed for the MUGA is only where the grass currently should be, in the main part of the field and not affecting the current tree line. 

This project will cost approximately £100,000 of which they've made a good start but have about £70,000 to go...

Sheen Mount Primary School has been such a great school for our children and we are hugely grateful to all involved in making it the school it is. It would be lovely to see this project happen and benefit many more children over the years.

I shall be embracing my 'living values' on this trip!

https://www.sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk