Class act as school benefits from £20,000 funding boost thanks to National Highways partners
Funding of £20,000 from National Highways’ partner on its M25 Junction 28 scheme is being invested in building a new outdoor classroom at a specialist primary school in Essex.
National Highways, GRAHAM and its supply chain partners (Heidelberg and M&O Civil Engineering Ltd) have joined forces in supporting Wells Park School in Chigwell, which focuses on children aged 5 to 11 with complex social, emotional and mental health needs.
The new outdoor classroom will support the needs of pupils with social, physical or behavioural challenges and will have path and ramp access.
Headteacher, Matthew Surman, approached the team working on the scheme 18 months ago with his plans to develop the school's outdoor space, including a new outdoor classroom within the school farm.
He said: “I just wanted to once again extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your generosity in creating the classroom. I am meeting with another local charity to look at ways we can maximise its benefit for all members of our community.”
The team from National Highways and GRAHAM visited the school to mark the launch of the project.
Zach Pepper, project manager for National Highways, said:
"This investment reflects our commitment to community support and enhancing educational facilities for children with special needs. We are proud to contribute to the development of Wells Park Primary School’s outdoor classroom.”
Dan Cawthra, GRAHAM’s Head of Stakeholder & Community Engagement said:
“Investing in the future of our communities is a core part of GRAHAM's philosophy. Partnering with National Highways to create this new outdoor classroom allows us to directly support the wellbeing and development of the students and we are excited to see the positive impact this space will have for years to come”.
The National Highways’ Social Value fund has been instrumental in providing and mobilising the £20,000 funding to for this outdoor classroom. £10,000 was provided by the fund which was match-funded by GRAHAM. The fund is designed to provide small social value initiatives that leave a long-lasting legacy in communities located near our schemes.
The M25 jnction 28 plays a huge role in connecting the A12 and the M25, as well as providing access to Brentwood via the A1023. Up to 7,500 vehicles pass through the junction roundabout at peak times.
As it is operating at capacity, vehicles using the junction face congestion and delays, which effects local air quality. Research shows that traffic is expected to increase in the area by around 30% by 2037, which means that over 9,000 vehicles could be passing through it by this date.
More information on the M25 junction 28 scheme can be found here
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
