Big School Clean Up

York school issues heartfelt thanks to volunteers who took part in ‘Big School Clean Up’

Appleton Roebuck Primary School community transforms school grounds.

The staff of a local primary school have issued a heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in helping to spruce up its outside area, including cutting back overgrown shrubs and tidying the area around a pond that will now be used by the children for outdoor science and nature lessons.

As part of an initiative hosted by the newly formed Parent Teacher Association (PTA), dozens of staff, pupils, parents and carers of Appleton Roebuck Primary School in York came together on Saturday the 11th of June to take part in the ‘Big School Clean Up’.

There was a huge turnout on the day, including volunteers from across the local community, with some participants bringing gardening tools, pressure washers and painting equipment to help speed things up.

One parent even brought a tractor on the day to dig out some very well-rooted plants, while the local Co-op in Copmanthorpe donated tea and coffee, and the PTA donated lots of biscuits and homemade cake to keep everyone going.

Laura Swain, a Teaching Assistant at Appleton Roebuck, part of the Star Multi Academy Trust, and the PTA School Representative, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came out on the Saturday to help improve the school grounds for our students, and to those who donated drinks and treats to help keep everybody’s energy up.

“We take a huge amount of pride in our school environment, so it’s great to see the outside reflecting the passion for learning that takes place on the inside. Even better that we can now also use the pond for the children to take part in outdoor science and nature lessons.  

“Overall, it really was a fantastic day. It was hard work, but everyone enjoyed taking part and it showed what can be achieved when the community comes together.”

Appleton Roebuck forms part of the Star Multi Academy Trust, which is made up of eleven schools located across the Sherburn, Tadcaster and Selby areas of North Yorkshire.

Established in 2018, the trust’s aim is to create outstanding education within its academies to enable every young person to realise their full potential.