Hartlepool pupils able to learn and play outside after umbrellas donation – as staff also give back

Youngsters can learn and play outdoors no matter what the weather after a generous donation – as staff also raised more than £2,000 for charity.
By Pamela Bilalova
Published 20th May 2022, 04:45 BST
Updated 20th May 2022, 07:40 BST
Staff were able to raise over £2,000 with the charity hike.Staff were able to raise over £2,000 with the charity hike.
Staff were able to raise over £2,000 with the charity hike.

Pupils in reception and nursery at Clavering Primary School, in Clavering Road, Hartlepool, are able to explore to outdoors while learning new skills after tens of umbrellas were donated to the school.

The donation, from toy retailer the Entertainer, happened with the help of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre manager Mark Rycraft, who decided to approach the shop after the school made a call out for spare umbrellas to parents.

In total, more than 30 umbrellas worth £200 were donated.

Clavering Primary School pupils (left to right) Freya Caden, Charlie Carry, Ariya Watson, Dexter Eales, Noah Clark and Isabelle Scholeswith their umbrellas./Photo: Frank ReidClavering Primary School pupils (left to right) Freya Caden, Charlie Carry, Ariya Watson, Dexter Eales, Noah Clark and Isabelle Scholeswith their umbrellas./Photo: Frank Reid
Clavering Primary School pupils (left to right) Freya Caden, Charlie Carry, Ariya Watson, Dexter Eales, Noah Clark and Isabelle Scholeswith their umbrellas./Photo: Frank Reid
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School nursery teacher Liam Savage said the umbrellas have already been put to use “quite a few times”.

"A lot of our learning has to take place outside and if it’s a rainy day and we can’t get out, it just ruins everybody’s day, whereas it’s not a problem now,” he added.

Mr Savage continued: "It means they can play outside when there is any weather or we can do lessons outside and learn about the rain, rather than keep them inside all the time.

"I’ve been taking the nursery children out. We have been using the different weathers to learn about what different weathers sound like, so we’ve used them quite a few times already.

Clavering Primary School pupil Ariya Watson (left) and Isabelle Scholes with their umbrellas./Photo: Frank ReidClavering Primary School pupil Ariya Watson (left) and Isabelle Scholes with their umbrellas./Photo: Frank Reid
Clavering Primary School pupil Ariya Watson (left) and Isabelle Scholes with their umbrellas./Photo: Frank Reid
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Mr Savage added: "The kids love them. Half of them are Spiderman umbrellas and the other half are Frozen umbrellas with Elsa and Anna on the top of them, so the kids absolutely love them.”

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Mr Rycraft, whose daughter attends nursery at the school, said: “I’m so glad we were able to help, with the Entertainer donating the umbrellas.

"A massive thank you to the Entertainer for supporting the donation request.

"I’m really pleased we could do that.”

The school donation came after staff managed to raise more than £2,260 after completing a 27.5mile hike from Robin Hood's Bay to Saltburn at the end of April.

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It was organised by PE Teacher Matthew Stoddart, with staff members Liam Savage, Tracy Williamson, Feye Carter, Katy Sutherland, Hannah Sunley, Emily Solomon, Carole Skirving, Angela Robson, Nicola Leighton, Debbie Ansell, Sarah Weightmann and Siobhan Forbes taking part.

The money will be donated to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s play services.

Related topics:HartlepoolYoungsters