A WEST Dorset school has embarked on a fundraising campaign to install new climbing and outdoor equipment and needs the support of the community.

Pupils and staff at Powerstock Primary School have started a Crowfunding campaign to raise £5,000 for a trim trail and a climbing wall to further enhance their active learning.

The school was successful in getting through the first round of the Dorset County Council youth projects funding bid, and if they are successful with their Crowdfunder, the council will pledge an additional £5,000 towards the project.

Headteacher Louise Greenham said: “In recent years we have adopted a ‘proud to be active’ ethos as a school, recognising the benefits it brings to pupil focus as well as health and wellbeing.

“We are one of the first schools in the county to adopt the ‘Daily Mile’ and ‘Wake n shake’ initiatives and have recently broadened our outdoor and active learning further through our comprehensive forest school.

“We want to make the most of our outdoor space and the next step is to install a trim trail – a series of physically challenging equipment which will allow children of different ages to test their core strength, flexibility, balance and stamina.

“We are delighted to have been given the chance to secure funding from Dorset County Council but recognise that £5,000 is an awful lot of money to raise in just over a month for a small rural school like ours, so we will be putting all the stops out to get over the line.”

The school has until February 22 to obtain pledges from at least 30 individuals or businesses, with a total of £5,000 or more to meet.

The Daily Mile gets children out of the classroom each day to run or walk a mile throughout the day.

To help raise funds, pupils will be taking part in a sponsored Daily Mile, competing against teachers and parents on February 15 at the school from 9.15am. Everyone is invited to go along and watch.

Pupils will also be holding cake stalls, a pub quiz night at the Three Horseshoes and other activities to try and reach their target.

Pledges can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/2G4Wb9F or by calling the school on 01308 485380