Lotto cash fuels sport craze at school (From Enfield Independent)

Lotto cash fuels sport craze at school

11:48am Friday 14th November 2008 in News

PUPILS were literally turning somersaults after lottery cash won by their school won was put to good use.

Six nimble youngsters at Suffolks Primary School, in Brick Lane, carried out a gymnastics display last Tuesday in front of parents and fellow pupils.

They were putting a new £1,000 piece of gym equipment through its paces.

The purchase was made possible by a £5,373 grant from Big Lottery - Awards For All scheme.

It is the largest single buy in a raft of spending on sports facilities at the school.

The basketball team, the tennis team, football team and the athletics squad also benefited too New kits and equipment give pupils the chance to compete with other schools.

After-school clubs are an attractive alternative to private clubs, which many familites cannot afford to join.

Head teacher Nina Saunders said: “It’s fantastic we have these funds in the run up to the London Olympics. With the facilities we have now our pupils will be able to emulate the stars of the 2012”

“By having these extra clubs it will encourage pupils to become actively involved in a wider range of additional opportunities which will enable them to extend their learning.”

“As a school we promote quality and inclusion and these clubs will be open and accessible to all at no cost.”

Christine Butler was the driving force behind the application submitted in March.

She said: “The pupils think its brilliant. It’s given them opportunities they have not have had before. It’s so popular that we’ve had to bring in a waiting list for the clubs.”

The lottery grant is the second donation to sports at the school. In July the Football Foundation gave £400 for kit, equipment and a pair of movable goal posts.