Primary Award Winners

We were pleased to award a grant to fund the majority of the cost of a Laser DLP projector for Newberries Primary School’s hall (Radlett).   Whilst we fully appreciate the effective learning value of classroom interactive whiteboards/projectors, we were initially a little sceptical about the bredth and depth of educational value of a replacement projector for the hall if it was just to be used for assemblies.

However, Jane Woods, School Business Manager, reassured us about this in her application:

“This resource is used during assemblies, workshops, class learning and for small group working. The current equipment has completely broken and needs to be replaced. Our students miss the interactivity this resource provides.”

Thus, the projector will benefit all year groups, from whole-school assemblies and presentations, to entire classes and smaller groups working in the hall.

We always appreciate it when schools shop around for the most effective resources.  This projector has a 4,500 lumens lamp which means it will work even in a bright room; a higher than HD resolution and a 20,000 hours lamp life which will save money on replacing expensive bulbs.

As the cost of the project exceeded the maximum grant, Jane forwarded a letter from the Friends of Newberries School confirming that they would fund the excess and so we were able to approve the application.

We were pleased to fund three laptops for Longmeadow school (Stevenage) following an application which effectively emphasised their needs.  As Paula Flint, School Business Manager explained:

“We currently have 20 ENF pupils, and a third of pupils are Pupil Premium. Many of our students have poor communication, speech and language difficulties and we wish to develop the use of technology to enhance their learning opportunities and for them to excel. We wish to ensure that our pupils achieve their very best and become lifelong learners.”

Many pupils do not have access to technology outside school and Longmeadow does not currently have any working laptops for pupils.  They have worked hard to find funds for nine laptops and our contribution will extend this to twelve which makes it feasible to run a whole-class session as well as help individual pupils.

We are always impressed when a project builds on current success and these laptops will expand access to maths software the school has already bought, and which is proving successful.

We were pleased to be able to fund 3 Chromebooks for Letchmore Infants School (Stevenage). 

The touchscreen tablets will be used as part of a complete class set and for individual/small group work in conjunction with staff training, Google support and specialist software (inc. Purple Mash – coding, writing, creative, tracking software).

As Jo Harding, Co-Headteacher, explained:

“The award would be a huge benefit to our children as it will enable us to fully implement the computing curriculum. The chromebooks will be much better suited to the age of our children and meet all of their ICT needs.

We aim to inspire our children through creative software available through the use of chromebooks and this work will link to topics covered. The software will also assist the teachers with planning, assessment and online support.”

We were very pleased to buy the final 4 iPads for Mandeville school to complete a half-class set which they had managed to fund from generous PTA donations.

James Dickenson, Assistant Head, wrote a persuasive application in which he explained the wide range of children who would benefit from the iPads:

“-It would provide a portable translation device to allow EAL access and access to dual language texts, enabling them to engage in class activities more fully.
- PPG and vulnerable children can use them beyond the curriculum during summer school and help access new experiences - this extends their experiences beyond their normal home life during the summer holidays - this brings benefits in engagement on returning to school.
- For SEN children they will be able to access, create and share work through for example Apps and voice to text programmes. This will increase their involvement and engagement with the whole class during lessons.
- In addition, with 15 iPad in total we will be able to use them in supporting whole class teaching, ensuring the whole class are following at the same rate and with the same material.”

We are always pleased to read how a project is versatile enough to help children of all abilities ranging from individuals and small groups to whole classes.

We are pleased to be able to give the final contribution for a mini bus to Hobletts Manor Junior School.

Kelly Smith, School Business Manager, made a strong financial as well as academic/well being case for the minibus:

“At present we are spending most of our PE premium on transporting children to and from sporting fixtures and other inspiring events. We have a hugely proactive team of teaching staff who regularly book places on trips and sporting events in order to inspire ALL our children whether their enthusiasm lies in athleticism or academia. but this is coming at a huge cost to the school budget.”

The transport will be used for many activities, for example swimming trips for the NC certificate, regular sessions to a local boxing gym to help with behaviour and focus skills, local library visits and pupils working with local businesses.

EdufundUK do prefer to fund an entire project ourselves, or at least to be the majority contributor.  However, Hobletts Manor have made such huge efforts to get the rest of the funding in place and have clear plans to initiate this project quickly, that we were very happy to donate the last £1,000 to enable them to go ahead.

We are very pleased to fund a one-day, anti-bullying workshop for the whole school and parents at St Bernadette Catholic Primary School (St. Albans).

Jackie Caetano, (Business Manager), quoted part of St Bernadette’s mission statement: 

“Verbal, physical, online or in-person, bullying has a significant impact on a child’s life that can extend into their adult life. By making small, simple changes, we can break this cycle and create a safe environment for everyone.”

Jackie went on to explain how the performance, workshop and resources will help:

“By buying into a one day workshop which extends to our parents and carers, we are showing our children that we are passionate in our belief that its by educating our children, young people, parents and carers together and that it takes a collective responsibility to stop bullying. We want to create an empowering, positive message addressing the fact that when it comes to bullying, change starts now not tomorrow.”

One-off performances and trips struggle to score well on our longevity criteria (i.e. how long will the project continue to generate benefits for different cohorts of pupils.)  However, the fact that this project benefitted the whole school and parents helped mitigate that and we were happy to fund such a vital area that not only benefits pupils’ wellbeing, but also enables them to learn more effectively in a safe environment.