Selco helps Peterborough school reimagine playtime

​Children at a Peterborough school are exploring different ways to play – thanks to Selco.

Welland Academy, on Scalford Drive, has signed up to the OPAL Programme, which helps schools across the country redesign their playgrounds and provision to help encourage new ways of play.

Our Peterborough branch has thrown its support behind the project by donating a host of materials, including wood, pallets, plastic pipes, chains and buckets.

Tanya Peebles, of Welland Primary Academy, said: “We are so grateful to Selco for their support. They have absolutely embraced what we are trying to do at the school to make playtime more interesting and exciting for our pupils.

“The OPAL Primary Programme is all about giving children the type of experiences we enjoyed in our childhood, using basic materials to be creative. They can build things, climb ropes, or play in the sand. It’s about helping them to learn their limits in a safe environment.

“We already had some materials in place for the children to use and I’m sure they will be excited to receive these additional items from our friends at Selco.”

Our Peterborough branch on Padholme Road East opened last year, creating 30 new jobs and providing new convenience for tradespeople in the area.

Deputy manager Marta Ciz said the business was keen to play its part to support the local community.

“We have established ourselves in Peterborough over the last 16 months and have built a loyal customer base," she said.

“Getting involved with communities in which we are based is key part of the Selco ethos so we were delighted to be able to help Welland Primary Academy.

“Schoolchildren spend 20% of their day in play. Tanya and the team are working hard to improve the play facilities so the children can enjoy their time together and we’re proud to be a part of that.”

The OPAL Primary Programme offers schools a structured process, with mentored support provided for up to two years, to enable schools to permanently change both environment and culture.