Education

Stunning school benches on display at Cathedral before heading home

STUNNING ARTISTIC BENCHES created by Salisbury primary school children are on show at the Salisbury Cathedral until the end of the month.

Youngsters from eight schools took part in the BookBench project, organised by Salisbury Rotary Club and Salisbury Library, which saw three professional artists work with them to produce the pieces. The scheme was funded by Salisbury Rotary, the Rotary Foundation and Wiltshire Council. In total, nine benches were constructed – one for each of the schools and one for the library.

Durrington School launches thrift shop to keep costs low

Parents and teachers at Durrington Junior School have come together to set up and run a uniform thrift shop to help families cope with the cost of living crisis. The shop will be open on the school site every two weeks with stock made up of lost and donated uniform that has been washed and mended, where necessary, by a team of volunteers. “We were first approached by one of our parents, who posed the idea after talking to other mums and dads. We were more than happy to assist and get the ball rolling,” said headteacher, Karl Caslin. “The school has always tried to keep the cost of uniforms low, with only a badged jumper compulsory.”

“The BookBenches are made of fibre glass and professional artists Sue Martin, Helen Morgan Ford and Helen Look, held workshops to explore specific themes for each school with the children involved in every stage of the process,” said a spokesperson for the initiative.

“Their ideas and wishes culminated in eight beautifully-painted benches depicting a wide range of themes both with local interest and covering world-wide issues. The library’s bench was designed and painted by Terry Kemp and depicted business people at the time of Salisbury Rotary’s start in 1922.”

The BookBenches were on public display in Salisbury Library during August, coinciding with various activities arranged by the library for children during the school holidays, before moving on to the cathedral.

Later in the autumn, the BookBenches will go to their permanent homes in the eight participating schools and one in the library.

“The project was part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of Salisbury Rotary Club, which was founded in January 1922 and since then has raised many thousands of pounds for charitable causes both locally and worldwide,” the spokesperson added.

The Salisbury schools taking part were Harnham Infant and Junior schools, Longford Junior, Manor Fields Primary, St Andrew’s Primary, St Martin’s Primary, St Peter’s Primary and Woodlands Primary.

If you are interested in finding out more about Salisbury Rotary, email hello@salisburyrotary.org.uk or visit www.facebook.com/ salisburyrotaryclub.

Apply now for school places

APPLICATIONS are open for primary and secondary school places in Wiltshire for September 2023 entry, including for those attending school for the first time, children who are moving from primary to secondary and from an infant to junior school.

Applications can be submitted online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk until the national deadline dates of October 31 for secondary schools and January 15 next year for primary schools and infant to junior transfer.

The National Offer Day for school places for applications received before the published deadlines are March 1, 2023 for secondary and April 17, 2023 for primary and junior places. Online applicants will receive the outcome of their application on National Offer Day. Applications can also be submitted using a paper application, which can be obtained from Wiltshire Council’s Customer Services Team on 01225 713010. Those who apply using the paper application will be sent a letter confirming the outcome of their application, but information will not be available on the National Offer Day.

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children, education and skills, said: “This is a key moment for families. It isn’t a first come, first served process, so I would encourage them to take time to think carefully about the preferences they put down. I’d urge families to make their preferences online where possible and ensure the application is in before the deadline day.”

Families can visit the school admissions pages at www. wiltshire.gov.uk for information on the application process.