BREAK times will never be the same again for pupils at Hilperton Primary School, after the new PlayPod was officially opened by the school’s two oldest and youngest pupils on Monday (March 9).

The school has been developing a different range of activities at lunchtime in response to requests from children for more things to do, with the PlayPod providing recyclable materials for pupils to play with creatively.

Different types of fabrics, dressing up clothes, cardboard boxes, tubs, netting and old tyres are some of the materials available in the PlayPod for children to use in whichever way they want.

The Scrapstore PlayPod, which was opened by pupils Alfie, Woody, Helena and Kaitlyn, will be opened by staff at lunchtimes for the children to go into and take out anything they wish to play with.

Headteacher Vicky Cann said: “We were delighted to be successful in our bid to the Big Lottery Fund to support this Stay and Play Community project.

“Our children are hugely imaginative and so the scrap is transformed into all kinds of different things to become part of their play. Myself and the staff are so impressed with the range of different ideas that the children think of.”

The PlayPod is the final part of the school’s lunchtime provision, which includes an indoor calm space, football on the all-weather pitch, activities led by the sports council and Huff and Puff equipment.

Julie Allen, chair of governors, said: “The range of different activities now really supports the children’s social and communication skills, confidence and problem solving skills, as well as their physical health.”