Gosport pupils delighted with new self-styled lord opening £35,000 playground

YOUNGSTERS have been delighted getting to grips with a new £35,000 playground kitted out with adventure fort, apparatus and games
Ezra Osborne, six, offically opens the Elson Infant School new fort.Ezra Osborne, six, offically opens the Elson Infant School new fort.
Ezra Osborne, six, offically opens the Elson Infant School new fort.

The pupils at Elson Infant School in Gosport have been enjoying exploring the new facility with adventure tunnel, balance bridge and rope course after returning from the Easter break.

The £35,000 development also includes a football pitch and roleplay stations such as a bank, doctors and a bakers.

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Children had the chance to name the fort and become the self-styled Lord of Elson Infant School – officially taking part in the opening ceremony on Monday.

Year 1 pupil Ezra Osborne, six, was crowned the winner for her aptly named Fort Imagination.

Ezra said: ‘I was grateful to have been chosen as the winner. I thought the name Fort Imagination was good because when you go on the fort you can imagine where or what you might be.

‘I felt really happy and proud to open the new playground in front of my friends.’

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Other youngsters have loved playing with the new kit. Year 2 pupil Carrie Hunt, seven, said: ‘I feel like I am in a dream because it is all so great and so much fun.’

Year 1 pupil Harry Francis, six, added: ‘I like the new 100 square because I can also practise my counting.’

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The playground has been developed with a range of games to help develop children’s literacy and numeracy skills.

Head of school, Hayley Page said: ‘It has been wonderful to see the children being so creative in their play. This week we have seen the fort become a princess castle, a dragon's lair and it has even become Fort Brockhurst.

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‘The children have loved exploring the new playground markings and it has been lovely to see them developing literacy and numeracy skills outside on the alpha snail and 100 square.’

Construction was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

Executive headteacher Sarah Duffy said: ‘Being able to open it now, with all the children back at school, has been perfect timing.

‘This has brought a smile to all the children’s faces and will provide lots of opportunities for children to use their imaginations through play, spending time with their peers and learning new skills.’

Funding was provided from the Healthy Schools programme with the Parent Teacher Association raising extra cash.

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