Wandsworth Council is offering borough primary schools the chance to book a green space online in parks and commons waiving maintenance fees to enable play whilst social distancing
This will allow children to enjoy their breaktimes whilst still following the two-metre rule and is part of the council’s nine-point plan to help ensure borough schools reopen safely this week.
Cllr Steffi Sutters, cabinet member for community services and open spaces said: “We are blessed with some beautiful parks and green spaces in Wandsworth and it is important that we use them to good effect in these challenging times. We are therefore offering schools the chance to enjoy free access to space in our parks and on our commons. In this way pupils will be able to enjoy fresh air and run around with their friends whilst still staying safe.”
Cllr Will Sweet, cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “We are very much being led by headteachers on how they feel their school can safely reopen, but in the heart of the city, space for energetic young people to play is always going to be at a premium. Waiving our maintenance fees for parks is just one way we are supporting schools to reopen.”
As part of the nine-point school reopening plan, the council is also offering the free use of other council buildings. Other measures include procuring personal protective equipment, working with SEN transport providers to ensure vehicles are safe, providing a free school meal vouchers scheme, providing free mental health support to teachers, providing car parking for teachers and providing laptops, data vouchers and dongels through the Power to Connect scheme.
The greenspace bookings will be managed by the Events Team at Enable Leisure and Culture and will be on a first come, first served basis. Bookings are completely free and are focused on ensuring the children have a space to enjoy during their break times.
There will be a limited amount of bookings available at one time depending on the greenspace required, and to ensure the social distancing measures are met with other park users. A booking must be made in advance in order to manage the space safely.
For more information email events@enablelc.org