After a long year of planning approvals, building work on the playgrounds at Hampton Wick Infant and Nursery School (HWINS) has finally begun.

The council-led project includes building a brand new playground for the school's reception children, along with improvements of groundwork and a rejuvenation of the main playground. 

HWINS, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted earlier in the academic year, hopes the new designs will provide "a fun and creative outside area for the school children to enjoy".

The work will take between six and eight weeks, opening to the school's children by the start of this year's autumn term.

The school has faced a tough battle to get construction started last month, first submitting its plans on 15 March 2023 only to come up against local residents with concerns regarding noise, the aesthetics of the new playground, and possible damage to adjoining properties.

Local companies and PTA group Friends of HWINS have also come together in support of this new project, with contributions for a silent auction which ran until the HWINS Summer Fair on Saturday (6 July).

The over 40 lots – all donated by local businesses and community members – have raised over £3,500 for the school.

HWINS says cash from the fundraiser will go towards a series of green and outdoor initiatives for the next academic year, including bikes, a kitchen garden, an exploratory science area and a sensory nurture garden for its SEN programme. 

Those wishing to donate can do so on the school's auction page here.