Pothole repairs helps school with smooth plans for reopening

Bosses at Persimmon Homes Cornwall have helped ensure a smooth return to school for parents and pupils at a Plymouth primary school.

St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy has an agreement allowing parents to use land owned by the regional housebuilder as a car park. Severe weather earlier this year had caused the surface to degrade and potholes began to appear.

But the hardstanding at the Palmerston Heights development has now been smoothed and is ready for parents and carers as they prepare for the staggered return of pupils in line with Government guidelines.

Adam Church, director in charge of Persimmon Homes Cornwall, said: “When we heard the hardstanding needed some attention we were keen to help, but then the effects of the pandemic struck.

“At the first suggestion that schools were beginning to re-open we scheduled the work so that the area would be safe and easy to use as soon as it was needed.”

The 404-pupil school has remained open to children of key workers, but is looking to accommodate nursery, reception and years one and six pupils from this week.

Headteacher Chris Conners said: “We have been caring for children of key workers for the last seven weeks and are now providing full-time care for children in nursery, reception, year one and year six as well.

“We are operating a structured system for children to be dropped off and picked up from school and having the parking area recovered is a huge help to everyone as we stick to the rules and safeguard everyone from Covid 19.

“We all want to say a huge thank you to Persimmon for supporting our school and carrying out the work in time for our staged reopening.”