A PRIMARY school in Cirencester received a generous donation from a special guest in assembly this morning (Tuesday, April 18).

Stratton Primary School pupils were excited to greet Chris Thorne from Persimmon Homes and accept a cheque for £1,000.

Persimmon plc is a British housebuilding company, headquartered in York, England. 

The money donated by Persimmon Homes Wessex is part of the housebuilder’s Community Champions initiative, which donates up to £750,000 a year to local causes and organisations.

The money will be used towards resources for the school library which will further enhance the learning opportunities for the 208 pupils.

Funding will also be used to support the school’s aim of taking reading outdoors into the playground with the construction of a purpose-built Reading Shed.

Mrs Barbara Cartwright, teacher at Stratton Primary School, said: “We are delighted that Persimmon Homes are helping us to promote reading for pleasure in our school.

“Following recent improvements to our library, we would like to take the fun of reading into the playground with our own Reading Shed.

“This facility will contain a prime selection of our lovely books, managed by our Year 6 librarians, along with some rugs for the children to comfortably take their reading outside.

“We can’t wait to see them curled up under the trees and chattering about which books they have chosen!"

Sales director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, Pauline Fletcher said: “Persimmon Wessex is delighted to be able to support Stratton Church of England Primary School in Cirencester.

“As a local business we want to deliver more than just high quality homes – we’re also committed to providing support and leaving a lasting positive legacy in local communities.

“Our Community Champions initiative is all about supporting worthwhile causes, and Stratton Primary School is a deserving recipient of such funding.

“We all know how important reading is for the development of young minds, and we’re pleased this donation will be used to restock and renew resources within the school’s library and support the next generation.”