A PRIMARY school in Wotton-under-Edge is to install a 60-tonne sandpit as part of a new outdoor play area.

Blue Coat Primary School will receive funding of at least £8,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative – but could receive £10,000 or £12,000 – to construct a ‘Play Beach’ on the school field.

The amount they receive is in the hands of the public, who will have the chance to vote from this Saturday until Sunday, March 6.

Blue Coat’s Play Beach will be a massive 60-tonne sandpit and outdoor play area located on the school field. It will be accessible to Blue Coat children during school hours, but also will have extended access to local community groups through a programme of special events.

Headteacher at Blue Coat Mark Ryan told the Gazette the ‘Play Beach’ will be a “win-win” for all involved.

“This initiative has presented us with a valuable opportunity to move closer towards our school vision of ‘future readiness’ for our pupils. We put great value on high quality play,” he said.

“It offers children the chance to develop skills and values for life such as creativity, responsibility, respect, social skills and risk management strategies.

“A ‘Play Beach’ at Blue Coat will add another dimension to our play on offer, affording us the chance to extend our diverse site to the wider community for out-of-hours play events.

“After all, schools giving back to their communities is a ‘win-win’ for all involved.”

Tesco’s Bags for Help initiative will put money raised by the 5p bag charge back into the community. The public will be given the opportunity to vote on three community projects, deciding which project gets which amount.

While the school is guaranteed £8,000, the higher amounts will allow them to attain more equipment and storage space.

Blue Coat is competing against Tortworth Primary School, who plan to construct a multi-sports area on their grounds, and the Charfield Village Hall Committee and their plans to create a patio with a picnic area accessible to the disabled.

People can vote in Tesco stores in Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley, Cam, Tetbury or Cirencester.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative across England and Wales.

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