Bovis, part of Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has donated almost £3,000 worth of playground resources to East Hunsbury Primary School in Northampton, giving pupils more opportunity to play and underlining its commitment to making a tangible difference in the communities where it works.

Kim Mustafa, lead lunchtime supervisor at East Hunsbury Primary School, said: “The new equipment has made such a difference to lunchtimes. It has enabled us to use more of the playground and create dedicated areas for different year groups, helping the children play safely while giving them more space and freedom to enjoy themselves.

“The children have been so excited to use the new resources, from the barriers and cones to the equipment for water play and den building. We are incredibly grateful for Bovis’ generous donation, which is already having a positive impact on our school day.”

The items requested by the school include Evo barriers, which are used to create separate areas for different year groups; traffic cones, which are used to form a traffic cone forest; telescopic demarcation poles; wheelie bins; buckets; concrete mixing trays and measuring jugs for water play; and tarpaulins to make dens. Together, they have transformed the way pupils use their outdoor space during lunch and breaktimes, as well as supporting PE activities.

Kathryn Pennington, Headteacher at East Hunsbury Primary School in Northampton, said: “At East Hunsbury Primary School, we believe that strong partnerships with local companies and developers are vital in enriching the experiences we can offer our children. In challenging financial times for education, every act of generosity makes a meaningful difference, and we are incredibly grateful for the resources provided by Vistry. Play is an essential part of childhood – supporting development, wellbeing and joy – and these contributions have transformed our lunchtimes, creating opportunities for play to thrive. We deeply value this collaboration and look forward to seeing this partnership continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead.”

The donation to the school, which is located near Vistry’s Collingtree Park development, reflects the housebuilder’s wider social value commitment, which focuses on supporting local priorities and creating lasting benefits for communities connected to its developments.

Andrew Harvey, Managing Director of Vistry South Central Midlands, said: “At Vistry, we are committed to doing more than building homes. We want to make a real and lasting difference in the communities where we work, and we are delighted to support East Hunsbury Primary School with outdoor kit that will deliver practical day-to-day benefits for pupils and staff. Investing in local communities is fundamental to creating places where people can thrive.”

With Vistry making highway improvements near the school, the donation is a natural extension of its commitment to supporting the surrounding area as the development progresses.

Work on the site began in May 2021 and the development is being delivered in two phases. The first phase has already delivered 349 homes, with a further 651 homes planned in the second phase.

The development includes play parks and open space, while the second phase will also deliver additional community facilities, including a community centre, shops and commercial space, and sports pitches, helping to create a lasting legacy for local residents.