St Julian’s School in Wellow has unveiled a new adventure playground following a two-year effort to replace the previous area that had been in use for two decades.

Two years ago, teachers approached the Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) as the existing adventure playground was showing signs of wear and tear.

Built by Big Wood Play Systems of Radstock, it had lasted an impressive 20 years in constant use so there was no hesitation in approaching the same firm to build the replacement.

The company ran a competition to involve the children so their designs could be incorporated into the final plan.

St Julian’s PTA already holds regular events like a duck race, an Easter Egg hunt and Christmas wreath making. They added cake sales, a clothes swap and a ceramics workshop to raise funds, but one event in particular boosted the total.

Head teacher Isobel Mills at the opening ceremony
Head teacher Isobel Mills at the opening ceremony (Richard Grassie)

Kelly Rotherham, chair of the PTA, said: "Some of our parents are also involved with the annual Wellow Way 10k run. They suggested a kids' colour run to go alongside it. It was a huge success, raising over £1000. It's now a fixture and we're hoping to top that this year."

In total, the PTA raised more than £20,000 towards the overall cost of £45,000.

Local artist Emma Rose, whose daughters attended the school, cut the ribbon to declare the area open and pupils were keen to get going on the play equipment straight away.

Headteacher Isobel Mills said: “The impact for the children has been immediate, with space to run, jump, climb and be imaginative. It’s a great space for outdoor learning and enables us to run a forest school.”

This year’s Wellow Way 5k and 10K run, with kids’ colour run, will be held Sunday, April 6.

For more information visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/ww10k and save the date!