The Rhyme, Rhythm and ROM Appeal...

...a combined library, music room and ICT space for Wylam First School

Our aim...

is to provide Wylam First School with a dedicated library, music room and information technology space. We aim to achieve this goal through a combination of new building and refurbishment of existing space.

The problem...

is that although every class has its own room, we have no space for a proper library or for integrated ICT facilities. We can’t provide our children with the range of library resources they need, or enable them to take advantage of information sources available on the Internet and CD ROM. These facilities are vital to help children develop essential library and information-gathering skills that are so important in today’s world

In addition, there is no suitable space for musical instrument lessons or for small group teaching outside the classroom. Music lessons are held in the head’s cramped office or in the school hall. For example, the keyboard teacher teaches one group in the hall while the caretaker is setting out tables for lunch, but then must move all the instruments into a classroom to teach a second group over the lunch break before moving the instruments for a third time so that the class can return to their room!

The solution...

is to create a proper library for the school that is equipped with a network of computers. This space will also be ideal for all types of small group teaching including music lessons. We have consulted two architects and both independently recommend a solution that involves new building and the conversion of existing accommodation. An added bonus of these changes will be the consolidation of the early years unit giving the nursery and reception classes access to shared and improved indoor and outdoor facilities.

How much will it cost…?

Our architects estimate the cost of these changes will be £100,000 for the new building together with the interior alterations.

Why doesn’t Northumberland County Council pay for these facilities…?

Although the County agrees our plans are a good idea, they are unable to support then financially. Northumberland receives a poor settlement for education from the Government, even compared with neighbouring counties of a similar rural character. This, together with the massive backlog of essential school repairs in the County, means that if this project is to succeed, we must find a substantial part of the money ourselves.

Now the difficult one: how will we raise the money…?

We propose to raise the money through our “Rhyme, Rhythm and ROM Appeal” and by an application to the Government’s Seed Challenge scheme, a capital funding scheme that enables schools to gain matched funding for capital projects. In order to benefit from this scheme we need to raise a substantial amount of NEW money that we can submit for matching.

How is the appeal being run…?

The appeal is being co-ordinated by a joint committee drawn from the governors and the PTA. This group is making appeals to charitable trusts and companies. Fundraising activities and events are being organised by the PTA and individual parents. The PTA has charitable status (registration No. 1042246) and can thus benefit from Gift Aid. Financial management of the appeal funds is via a specific audited account held and operated by the PTA.

Progress so far…

Since our appeal was launched in mid November we have raised £13500 of new money from a combination of fundraising activities and donations from generous external organisations.

In addition, Wylam, like all schools, has been awarded Formula Capital funds by the DfEE. Over the next two years this will amount to £20,000 for Wylam School.

So we have in total £37000, taking us to more than a third of our target. The remainder will be the most difficult, and remember only £13500 of the total is classed as new money that can be submitted in our application for matched funding.

That’s why we desperately need your help. Please will you help us reach our target so that our school can meet the needs of Wylam’s children into the new century.

Adrian Rees
Chair of Wylam First School Governors