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Park Primary School has made it through to the final of ‘The School We’d Like’ competition organised by a leading insurer of schools, Zurich Municipal, and The Guardian Teacher Network.

The nationwide competition, open to Primary, Secondary and Special schools, offers students and teachers the chance to turn one idea to improve their school into a reality. With over 400 entries, Park Primary School is now one of the final four in their category and stands the chance of winning £5,000 to put their plans into action.

Entries to the competition did not have to conform to a single type of idea. They had to be creative but realistic, demonstrating innovation, sustainability and involvement from the whole school. Ultimately it needed to have a positive impact on school life.

Team Park Primary School came up with the idea to develop a large, unused outdoor area at the centre of its site into an ‘Outdoor Environmental Classroom’. The facility would also be available for use by other local schools and communities as an overnight camping and learning facility. The weather-proof outdoor classroom would not only teach the community vital lessons about the environment and local wildlife, but also give the students a novel chance to learn survival and camping skills in a secure outdoor environment.

Wendy Adamson, Headteacher from school said: ‘This has been a huge opportunity for the school to showcase the development of our ‘Outdoor Environmental Classroom’.
I am very proud of Team Park, especially Bryn and Poppy for representing our School in such a positive way!
The whole School is behind you for the final, Go Team Park!’

Paul Tombs, Head of Education at Zurich Municipal, said: ‘This competition offers a unique opportunity for schools to bring to life their ideas and we have been very impressed by the high quality of submissions received from schools across England, Scotland and Wales. The team from Park Primary School should be particularly proud with their entry capturing the imagination of the judging panel. We saw some truly innovative ideas across the entries from plans for a flood crisis media hub to an interactive teaching space housed in a yurt, and we wish Park Primary School luck for the final.’

Finalists were selected from 36 schools shortlisted as regional semi-finalists in January and February. Following a ‘Dragons Den’ style presentation day to judging panels in Newcastle and Bristol, 12 overall finalists were selected. A team from Park Primary School will now present to a panel of judges at The Guardian offices in London on 9th March, where three overall winners across the categories will be announced and will be awarded with their prize fund

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