Family donates £10,000 to provide new school canopy
A brand new outside classroom canopy is ready for business and children at Wells-next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School and pupils don’t mind that it’s still the middle of winter.
The new addition to the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) outdoor classroom has been made possible thanks to a £10,000 donation from a local business.
French’s award-winning fish and chip shop marked 100 years in business in 2025, and very generously donated the entire £10,000 cost of the canopy to fund the project.
“My family has a strong connection to Wells Primary and Nursery School. All three generations of our family attended the school and now a fourth generation has started with my son at the nursery. My great grandfather also helped build the school, so it means a lot to us to be able to make the donation as the children in Wells will benefit, along with the whole town,” said Alanna French.
Local companies also offered to help build the canopy which measures 46ft by 13ft and will keep the worst of the weather off the children throughout the year. There was even a special STEM cake to mark the occasion.
The new canopy was officially opened on Thursday (Jan 8) with a special ceremony at the school where guests included representatives from the Holkham Charitable Foundation and members of the French family.
“We were delighted to welcome everyone to the official opening of our new canopy and want to thank everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition,” said Rachel Stroulger, Headteacher.
“It is an essential part of the plans for the Early Years outdoor learning provision, and it will make such a difference to the quality of the early years education we can offer the children of Wells,” she added.