Downs School holds successful annual walk

It was boots to the ground for a Compton school as they made an inroad in their plan to raise at least £20,000 over the academic year.

Making the most of the autumnal weather, students and teachers from The Downs School in Manor Crescent undertook a sponsored walk.

They were joined by other schools in its federation: Compton, Beedon, and Basildon primaries – the first time they had come together.

Funds raised go back into the school. In recent years, that has included new classrooms, a new area for Year 7, and an astroturf pitch.

Headteacher Chris Prosser said: “Everything we raise goes directly back to the school, benefitting the students in terms of infrastructure.

“We seriously need shelter spaces for when we get bad weather, so we are looking at investing in canopies to go around the school and continuing to make improvements to classrooms.”

Deputy head Phil Wilson said the funding was crucially important not just to the pupils but others who visit the school.

“This year we will be using the funds to restore our swimming pool and use it to foster a greater sense of community for all those who use the facility,” he said.

Elsewhere, Year Nine students Beth, Charlotte, Edward, Hugo, Rowan and Sienna said the funds should go towards new toilets and upgrading existing ones.

And the walk welcoming primary school children was a benefit for them, according to Melissa Cliffe, director of schools for the federation.

“It’s so important for these children to come here and experience the school and ease them into the transition from primary to secondary school,” she said.