AFTER waiting three years due to the pandemic, a primary school in Widnes are celebrating a new learning hub in the form of a rainbow double decker bus.

The project, at St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School, is a place for pupils and their families to come together to learn and socialise.

It is located in the garden area within the school grounds and will cater for physical needs by offering a fitness trail and will offer a ‘haven of tranquillity’ to help improve the mental health and well-being of both the pupils and staff.

Runcorn and Widnes World: The bus before the project startedThe bus before the project started

It’s main purpose is to provide:

  • An exciting and innovative learning environment for the children and community
  • A pastoral support base for the school’s most vulnerable families
  • A relaxing learning environment where children can learn
  • An opportunity for agencies to deliver information to families e.g. School Nurse, Family Support, Police, NSPCC
  • Parent courses through Halton College to develop adult literacy and numeracy skills
  • Coffee Mornings for the school’s families and drop ins to further improve home/school communication

The major contributors to the project were Laing O’Rourke and Everton in the Community who provided skilled volunteers, fitted out the bus, built the disability ramp, built work benches, desks, and seating areas, and much more.

The school said: ‘‘We are so grateful for the help, support and dedication we have received from our contributors.

‘‘We could not have achieved this amazing addition to our school without their help and we will be eternally grateful.

‘‘The Learning hub is a unique resource which we are extremely proud of.

‘‘We are excited to put into place all the opportunities for our children it will provide in future years.

‘‘We very much look forward to watching the wonderful pupils of St Michael’s spending time in the learning hub and garden of wellbeing, making special memories with their friends, teachers and families.

The new learning hub isn’t the only good news for the school, they also received ten new laptops which were donated by Asda.

Paul Loughran, headteacher, said: ‘‘We can’t thank Asda and Dell enough for choosing our school to receive these laptops, they will go a long way in helping to break down digital barriers and help with any education remotely now and in the future.”

Runcorn and Widnes World: Pupils with the new laptops donated by AsdaPupils with the new laptops donated by Asda

Primary Science Quality Marks have also been awarded to the school.                                                                                         

The award helps to celebrate their commitment to excellence in science teaching and learning.

Schools that achieve the award demonstrate commitment and expertise in science leadership, teaching and learning.