The University of Warwick’s Estates team has completed a redecoration and maintenance project at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Leamington Spa during lockdown.

As a result of measures to control COVID-19, the majority of the building fabric team has been on furlough. But the Warwick employees wanted to keep busy and put their building maintenance skills to good use during this challenging period.

The project came about through team member Nicola Austin, whose daughter attends St Peter’s. She identified the project and set the ball rolling. The team spent three days painting classrooms, stairways, cloakrooms, toilets, hallways, railings and playground equipment. They waxed benches and did pointing work on brickwork to repair the external walls.

The project was supported by Dulux, who donated more than £1,000 worth of paint and materials. A donation of plants from Morrisons meant the team was able to brighten up the playground too. Plus local business Murphy’s kindly delivered breakfast each morning, making sure the team was well fuelled for the day ahead.

Built in the 1800s, St Peter’s was originally a convent and school.

Acting headteacher, Debbie Enstone, said: “We were really grateful to the Warwick Estates team for thinking of us. St Peter’s is a very small school, and was in need of a little TLC so Warwick’s offer of help was incredibly timely. The children will love it when they all return to school.”

Anna Lodge, building supervisor at Warwick University, said: “This was a great project for us all. It meant we could use our skills during lockdown and we were proud to contribute to our community. Our colleague Nicola Austin put in an exceptional effort too, preparing the areas of work for the team’s arrival.

“We’d like to thank the school for making us so welcome and the other businesses for supporting our work. It’s a lovely school with incredible spaces for the children. We hope they enjoy their new look.”

-ends-

15 June 2020

Press and media contact:

Andrea Cullis

Press and media relations manager

DD: 02476 528050

Mb: 07825 314874

E: a.cullis@warwick.ac.uk

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