Community Windpower's Covid-19 crisis fund helps Dunbar school

Pupils at Dunbar Grammar School have been making the most of new outdoor furniture, which has helped the school adhere to the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 School Guidelines.

The school identified the need to utilise outdoor space for both an extra classroom and a place for returning pupils to spend breaks and lunch, but had no budget to purchase the equipment.

However, the school turned to Community Windpower and BeGreen’s joint Covid-19 crisis fund for help and its grant application for £3,938 was quickly approved.

The outdoor seating units have been a big hit with the school and the outdoor classroom is regularly used, including classes working on their creative writing, artwork and physics.

Claire Slowther, head teacher at Dunbar Grammar School, said: “On behalf of the whole school we are really thankful for the generous support from Community Windpower and BeGreen.

“The funding allowed us to purchase five high quality outdoor seating units, which we would have struggled to otherwise finance.

“Despite the cool autumn temperatures, our students have been extensively using them and enjoying the different setting for classes.

“We have had classes outside working and every break and lunch the seats are full of students relaxing and enjoying some food.”

The space has also been enormously advantageous for those pupils who need additional support as they now have extra space to work with the school’s staff.

Diane Wood, community benefits director at Community Windpower, which operates the Aikengall Community Wind Farms in East Lothian, said: “It’s fantastic to see the success of what our funding has helped the school achieve for its pupils and staff.

“By providing children with an outdoor space in which to both learn and relax, it can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

“We didn’t hesitate when Dunbar Grammar School explained what it was planning to do with the funding, because it’s important we support all members of our communities during this Covid-19 pandemic.

“While the outdoor space might be used a bit less during winter, I’m sure when spring arrives the outdoor seating units will be once again used constantly throughout the school day.”

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