Children and staff at Mapplewells Primary and Nursery School, Sutton, say they are thrilled with the transformation of their sensory garden, completed by volunteers from construction and engineering group Galliford Try.

Head teacher Andrew Whittle said: “The children, staff and whole Mapplewellian community are blown away by the transformation of our sensory garden. We are all extremely grateful to Galliford Try for all their time, resources, and commitment.”

Children commemorated the hard work with a plaque, saying ‘Thank you Galliford Try for brightening our world!’

Thomas Ellis, operations manager at Galliford Try, based at Sherwood Business Park, Annesley, said the company provided both the labour and materials for the work.

“At Galliford Try we are encouraged to do community work or help local causes, and each member of staff is allowed two working days to support those efforts annually. So, I got my team to use their days together to help transform this garden area at Mapplewells.

“It wasn’t a very welcoming area of the playground before the work was carried out, and we are pleased that the transformation means the children and staff now have a new space to use.”

James Barton, school site manager, added: “I spent time with them over the summer holidays to assist the work and saw how much effort it took.

Children can now use the area all year round. It’s great for children’s learning and enjoyment and the volunteers did an amazing job.”