A SCHOOL in Kidderminster has been recognised for its hard work supporting vulnerable children after it underwent a major refurbishment during the coronavirus pandemic.

The nursery at St Oswald's CE Primary School in Sion Avenue has been transformed inside and out thanks to a successful capital funding bid granted last year.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The refurbished classrooms at St Oswald's Nursery in KidderminsterThe refurbished classrooms at St Oswald's Nursery in Kidderminster

As part of a £100,000 refurbishment, the two nursery classrooms have been merged to create one large room with improved access to the outside area and toilet facilities, while the playground has been resurfaced and fitted with brand new furniture and equipment.

Nursery manager Sam Goodman said: "We applied for the funding back in 2018 but it's been a very a slow process so this has been a long time coming!

"It's enabled us to have alteration work done so that the two nursery rooms are joined with a gate in between so we can still do things separately but we've got a lot more flexibility.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Vaida-Mae Haywood, age 2, Rupert Winters, age 4, and Hugo Donnell, age 2, using the new easel at St Oswald's NurseryVaida-Mae Haywood, age 2, Rupert Winters, age 4, and Hugo Donnell, age 2, using the new easel at St Oswald's Nursery

"We've also had the outside area resurfaced with a new spongy surface instead of concrete. We've had our canopy area extended so it stretches alongside the classroom to give the two-year-olds an undercover area too.

"We also had enough money to buy new furniture throughout the nursery and get some really nice new resources for outside, such as some new wooden items, matching sandpits, water trays and a really nice double-sided easel."

Kidderminster Shuttle: Vaida-Mae Haywood, age 2, and Rupert Winters, age 4, using the new play equipment at St Oswald's NurseryVaida-Mae Haywood, age 2, and Rupert Winters, age 4, using the new play equipment at St Oswald's Nursery

A grand reopening due to be attended by Mayor of Kidderminster Sarah Rook had to be cancelled due to the lockdown, but staff and pupils at St Oswald's are celebrating nonetheless after being awarded the Achievement for All Early Years Quality Mark, recognising its work to raise the educational outcomes of children - particularly those vulnerable to underachievement.

Sam said: "The children have been really excited to come back to school and see everything that's been done.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Hugo Donnell, age 2, using the new easel at St Oswald's NurseryHugo Donnell, age 2, using the new easel at St Oswald's Nursery

"We spend just as much time outside as we do inside, so they've loved all of the new equipment.

"We've always had really good Ofsted ratings, but the refurbishment means we've now got that wow factor.

"I feel we've done the children proud, and to achieve our Quality Mark as well has been brilliant."