School Building Projects
There are many occasions where the Lytham Schools Foundation have been asked to support build projects within local schools. This can be entirely funded by ourselves or often in collaboration with national or local government schemes. As a Foundation we aren’t in the business of building properties, but we do wish to ensure the best possible educational setting for pupils in our area.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Forest School
In summer 2024, the school were looking to enhance their fantastic location and chose to accommodate a Forest School on their site. The majority of the funding from the Foundation went into the building of the main canopy area and seating circle, the start point for Forest School Sessions.
For Forest School to be sustainable, a member of staff completed a week’s training to be a Forest School Lead and will now complete a portfolio of work for her assessment
The plan for 2025 will be offering Forest School involvement to 90 children per week, starting with their own pupils, and then reaching out to other local schools.
Lytham Church of England Primary School, Outdoor Space Refurbishment
During 2024 the Early Years Foundation Stage Outside Area was starting to show its age. A lot of the wood was starting to rot, and the area would soon have not been a fully safe area for the children to have outside play. The area has been such a hit with the children it was important to have it functioning properly.
The EYFS Outdoor Area is a key element for the pupils in the school to explore and learn in a safe environment, so it was very important to get this area back on track.
During the first term of 2024 professional developers came onto site and completed the project.
Heyhouses Endowed Church of England School, Infant Library
During 2022 the Infant section at Heyhouses School embarked upon a long needed project to provide an improved library for their Infant children. Whilst the current provision was practical and workable, the school wanted to make reading a more enjoyable process.
A suitable professional design was selected that makes the space enjoyable, creative and safe for the children to develop their reading and linguistic skills.
Lytham Church of England School – Nursery Project
During 2021 the Primary School at Lytham were looking to expand their educational role within the town. Whilst the school provided a great education for primary aged children, the school had no space that could be readily used to expand, without requiring further investment in the building and facilities.
Following a successful application to the Foundation, we are excited to share the news that they have opened a brand new, teacher led, nursery, aimed at 3 – 4 year old’s, based inside their beautiful school.
After opening their doors with 4 pupils in January, they will end this academic year with 15 children benefiting from this support and helping the children to transition up the school in years to come. https://www.lytham.lancs.sch.uk/nursery
AKS School Hall Lighting
The current hall was the centrepiece of the school when it was first built on 1908. With its vaulted ceiling, organ and balcony it lends itself to larger gatherings such as school assemblies, and the raised stage has seen many drama and musical performances alike. Unfortunately the hall needed some major renovation in 2021 to ensure it could continue to be used.
One of the key uses of the hall is as an exam room – many O-Levels, GCSE’s and A-Levels have been sat in this room over the last 100 years. The Foundation chose to place their investment in the new lighting to ensure that the renovated hall met health & safety requirements for hosting examinations. The school chose the lighting most appropriate to fit the new renovation which they truly delighted with.
Lytham St Anne’s High School
Lytham St Annes High School has just begun on a major site redevelopment. The buildings were highlighted as requiring significant repair and the school will be one of the first to benefit from the government’s Priority Rebuild Programme. A turf cutting ceremony was held on 23rd September 2021.
Part of the redevelopment includes the provision of a new sports hall facility. Whilst the government scheme would provide this, it was felt that the school and local area would benefit from an enhanced sports facility. The Foundation were pleased to be able to offer £200k to make this a possibility.
Lytham Church of England School – Children’s Kitchen
A fantastic new facility was provided at Lytham C of E school as part of some internal renovations. The project included the renovation of the school hall into a light and airy centre piece for the school, and the better use of old cupboards and storage rooms so that there was more space to utilise the hall more often.
One of the key additions was the complete build of a kitchen that can be used by the children. All appliances are specifically aimed at children and all worksurfaces are at an appropriate height to allow even the smallest to get involved. What a fantastic facility they now have, and the fairy cakes made for us on a recent visit were delicious!
