Wateringbury Primary School benefits as Community Chest spills its gold

Wateringbury CE Primary School’s wildlife garden and pond is now full of life thanks to a donation from South East Water’s Community Chest.

The grant of £2,000, was awarded to the school in 2023, and helped fund the creation of a wildlife garden and pond. The development of this new outdoor area has offered pupils a green space to explore, helped them learn new skills and grow in confidence, and provided the opportunity for students to be at one with nature.

The school is one of 10 good causes across the south east which shared a £20,000 bounty from South East Water’s Community Chest Fund last year.

Tanya Sephton, Customer Services Director, South East Water said: “We are delighted to see the wildlife garden and pond bursting into life and providing a wonderful outdoor learning space for the pupils at Wateringbury CE Primary School.

“The funding from our Community Chest has helped the school bring this garden and pond to fruition and forged a link for the students between nature and the importance of the water environment. If appreciated at a young age, this will stay with them for life.”

Debbie Johnson, Headteacher of Wateringbury CE Primary School, said: “We are so grateful to South East Water for the grant which, along with some amazing fundraising by our parent body, allowed us to create our wildlife garden and pond.

“Our children love being outside, and we are lucky to have such beautiful grounds to explore. This addition to our outdoor learning provision means that children can learn about the creatures in our environment and the frogs are delighted with the upgrade from their muddy puddle!”

You can find out more about our Community Chest Fund here.

Applications for next year’s fund will open in March 2025.