Saturday 16th July 2011

Sadly, we have heard that Grassmoor remained behind the Scottish school by 1,000 or so votes at midnight and so did not win the competition (below).

They have told us however that, though they are disappointed, they will now try to fundraise in order to get the playground their children need.

Thank you to everyone who voted in support of the school.

Thursday 14th July 2011

You will have seen the feature we have been running all week on the Chesterfield school that is desperately in need of votes in order to win a new playground.


Grassmoor's Playground picture you need to "Like" on the Ronseal UK Facebook page to cast your vote. (Instructions below)

Ronseal UK has drawn up a shortlist of 6 schools from throughout the UK that was chosen from over 1,000 entries. The winning school will get a brand new £30,000 state of the art playground.

Today we learned from the team behind the campaign that 'our' school is now in 2nd place, trailing only slightly to a Scottish city school. It's the only school in our area to be in the finals.

Parents, staff and children are hugely grateful to everyone who has voted so far but are asking that, before voting closes at midnight tomorrow (Friday 15th July) anyone who hasn't voted, please do so.

Grassmoor Primary School is in dire need of a new playground, as the children do not have a proper one at the moment. With Government initiatives urging us to get our children out into the fresh air and taking part in exercise, the Chesterfield team say that they feel unable to provide this at school currently. School budgets are also stretched tight and this competition, say parents, provides the only real hope of giving their children space to experience outdoor play.

Emma Boden Is one of a team of parents who have worked hard these last few weeks to publicise the need for votes. She spoke to The Chesterfield Post and told us just what winning this competition would mean to the children there.

A former pupil there herself she is, "A parent of 3 kids at the school. The playground is terrible - just a staff car park really with a few tyres. It's exactly the same as when I went, nothing has changed, there is nothing for the children."

She added, "There's nothing for them at all on the yard and it's a shame, it's a fantastic school - the staff are brilliant, but we really need this playground, the children deserve it so much."

Asked what winning the competition would mean, Emma didn't hesitate, "It would mean everything! Everything! The community has really pulled together, and it would be brilliant for the children."

She has nothing but praise for the people who have helped so far, "The whole town is pulling behind us, the votes are shooting up and Chesterfield is really supporting us. It takes 10 seconds to vote following the instructions below."

And a final appeal, "We're the only school in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or South Yorkshire to have made the shortlist. We're second at the moment and with the town behind us, we'd love to win. It would make such a difference to our children. Please, Please vote - Thank You."

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE FOR GRASSMOOR...

Click HERE to visit Ronseal UK on Facebook.

Click the "Like" button on the Ronseal UK page first.

Then simply view and click "Like" on the picture (as shown above) of Grassmoor's playground before midnight GMT on Friday 15th July.

Remember you will have to "Like" the actual Ronseal UK Facebook page before you can see and "Like" the picture.

The winner will be announced on 18th July 2011 on www.ronsealplayground.co.uk

RECENT STORIES

SAFER SCHOOLS RECOGNISED BY PIONEERING AWARD -
As Chesterfield children return to school this week, news comes of a pioneering new award that equips pupils and staff with basic life-saving skills. More...

TOP OF THE CLASS FOR GCSE STUDENTS -
A bumper year for 8,700 GCSE students who received results in Derbyshire this year, with 79% receiving 5 or more A* to C GCSE's, a 5% improvement on last year. More...

TRIP OF A LIFETIME FOR COLLEGE STUDENT MICHAEL -
Chesterfield College hairdressing student, Michael Wild has been proudly flying the flag for the town in Japan this summer More...

CHESTERFIELD STUDENTS MAKE THE GRADE AT 'A LEVEL' -
It's been a successful day for over 2,700 local students who picked up their A level results today. More...

COLLEGE CONFIRMS DEPARTURE OF PRINCIPAL -
It has been confirmed today that Principal Judith Mcarthur has now left Chesterfield College. More...

25 YEARS, 10 CHILDREN AND 28 DAYS -
25 years on, the disaster at Chernobyl still means that toxins survive in the surrounding area, causing suffering and illness, some of the children have visited the UK More...

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT... -
Award-winning school chefs are celebrating after scooping a national prize for the quality of their food and service. More...

GRASSMOOR GETS 2nd PLACE - OFFICIAL-
The Chesterfield Post today received confirmation that Grassmoor Primary School is officially runner up in Ronseal's Playground Project Competition More...

CAPS AND GOWNS FOR CHESTERFIELD CHILDREN -
Over 200 children from Chesterfield schools donned caps and gowns earlier this week in order to attend their very own ‘ graduation ceremony’. More...

NEW SCHOOL BUILDS FUTURE FOR STUDENTS -
After 17 months in the making Springwell Community School will celebrate it’s official opening this  Friday (15th July). More...

BIG IN JAPAN -
Hair and Beauty students at Chesterfield College received their certificates of achievement, in front of an audience of parents and friends and industry leaders in Japan via Skype. More...

DERBYSHIRE SCHOOL WINS NATIONAL GOLF TITLE -
One of the smallest schools in Derbyshire has finished top of the class in one of the country's biggest golf competitions.
More...

JACK CHARLTON SCORES COLLEGE AWARD -
Joinery student, Jack Charlton was presented with an esteemed award at the Chesterfield College Joinery Celebration of Achievement evening More...

COLLEGE WIDE CELEBRATIONS -
Once again the achievements of students of Chesterfield College have been recognised by all departments. More...

VOTE AND MAKE IT CHILDS PLAY FOR LOCAL SCHOOL -
A Chesterfield primary school is celebrating after being chosen as a national finalist to win a new school playground. More...

ROYAL CELEBRATION FOR STUDENTS -
Chesterfield College students celebrated their achievements on the DofE Award scheme in right royal fashion, with HRH the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward. MORE...

NO WINNERS IN TEACHERS STRIKE -
Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield has said tonight that, "Only dialogue will bring about a fairer deal for teachers and uninterrupted schooling in the public sector pension row." More...

SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY TEACHER STRIKE -
This is a provisional list of all schools and whether they are closed or open today - in full or in part - released by Derbyshire County Council. More...

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER FOR TEACHERS TOO! -
It's a season of firsts and new initiatives for Chesterfield Football club, and here's another one! More...

KATIE FINISHES 3RD IN NATIONAL WELLA COMPETITION -
Well done goes to Chesterfield College Level 3 Hairdressing student Katie Beer and her model Lin Lin (Nikki) Xu for their success in the finals of the Wella Xposure competition held in London. More...

CHARITY GIG RAISING FUNDS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL -
Top local musicians will be heading to a village near Eckington this weekend for the latest Middle Handley Charity Gig. More...

CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE'S ARTS FESTIVAL 2011 DIARY -
Theatre, Dance, Music, Lectures featuring acting, technology, TV presenting, filming, art, design and more in June More...

IT'S DESTINATION CHESTERFIELD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS -
Travel and Tourism students from Chesterfield College have teamed up with Destination Chesterfield to promote the town to young people in the surrounding area. More...

PARENTS ANGER AGAINST SCHOOL PLACES 'LOTTERY' -
Parents in Chesterfield are expressing concerns today after they say that many children have been refused places at the primary school of their choice. More...

WHATS TO DO THIS SPRING BANK? -
Spring Bank Holiday Activities in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire More...

COLLEGE STUDENTS SUCCESS AT SKILLBUILD HEATS -
Carpentry, Joinery, Brickwork, Painting and Decorating students from Chesterfield College achieved successes at the regional Skillbuild Heats event More...

COLLEGE STUDENTS HELP OZBOX IN FUNDRAISER -
Chesterfield College Students teamed up with Derbyshire Constabulary's Ozbox scheme to raise over £514 for Thomas Fletcher. More...

STUDENT LOAN ADVICE ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES -
The Student Loans Company is to run a series of student finance surgeries to give real-time advice to those going to university this autumn. More...

CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE STUDENTS WIN COMPETITION -
Hair and Beauty students from Chesterfield College were victorious after an Inter-College competition More...

DAD DIGS DEEP FOR HASLAND SCHOOLS ECO-PROJECT -
A green fingered dad has been helping his son's school improve their eco- credentials as part of his employer's Volunteering Grants Programme. More...

COLLEGE FACES CUTS OF £2.8m -
There are expected to be job losses at Chesterfield College as the centre faces a £2.8m funding cut this coming financial year. More...

STANLEY DYSON'S LEGACY LIVES ON -
Three children aged between 8 and 11 were feted in London after winning a special art competition celebrating the life and work of a recently discovered local talent. More...

FATAL ROAD CRASH AT CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE? -
The scene outside Chesterfield College at lunchtime was of a fatal collision which took place just outside the entrance on Infirmary Road. Or was it? More...

YOU CAN 'STOMP' THE BEAT -
'Stomp' the percussion based street performance and award winning West End and International show visited Chesterfield College. More...

CHESTERFIELD APPRENTICES 'FIRED UP' -
With Apprenticeships on the rise and becoming a popular alternative to A levels, National Apprenticeship Week (7th-11th Feb) aims to celebrate students work as well as the scheme itself. More...

CLEANING UP THE FUTURE OF OUR PARKS -
Chesterfield Borough Council's Street Scene Enforcement team has been working with pupils at Parkside School to help improve local parks. More...

£2.5m INVESTMENT BOOST FOR CHESTERFIELD -
Good news today for both businesses and the unemployed in Chesterfield with news that £2.5m of new funding and grants is now available More...

BACK TO SCHOOL FOR CHESTERFIELD MP -
Schoolchildren in Chesterfield heard first hand about life in Parliament when MP Natascha Engel visited their school More...

"SHUTTING THE DOOR ON THE ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE" -
That's Chesterfield College lecturer and Union Representative James Eadon's view on the Government's proposals to withdraw EMA. More...

BRINGING HISTORY
TO LIFE -
During a period when most schools in Chesterfield closed as a result of the bad weather, one actually opened its doors - for the first time in more than 40 years. More...

SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO SNOW FROM
NOV 30th 2010 -
Here's a list of schools closed today that we know of. If you have any more to add to the list, go to our forum More...

NO SUGAR - BUT LIFE STILL SWEET FOR CHESTERFIELD APPRENTICES -
Chesterfield College launching it's innovative Apprenticeship Academy based at it's Tapton Campus. More...

BEST SCHOOL FROM NOTTINGHAM TO LEEDS! -
A Chesterfield School is celebrating after climbing 41 places in the league table and becoming the highest performing prep school between Leeds and Nottingham. More...

'JOG DERBYSHIRE' JOG GROUP LAUNCHED AT COLLEGE -
Chesterfield College has become the first employer in the area to launch an official jogging group for its members of staff. More...

STUDENTS TAKE A 'PREGNANT PAUSE' AT LONDON STATION -
Chesterfield College Childcare and Health and Social Care students took part in a 'Flash Mob' alongside other volunteers including Holby City star Duncan Pow at London's Victoria Rail Station More...

COLLEGES SALON QUALITY ATTRACTS INDUSTRY PROS FROM FAR AND WIDE -
The reputation of Chesterfield College's hair and beauty salon attracted visitors from Japan this week More...

CHESTERFIELD'S GRADUATES PUBLIC SHOW OF SUCCESS -
It was a first for Chesterfield College when more than 100 proud graduates celebrated at the Crooked Spire, after a procession through the town centre More...

NEW FACILITIES FOR CHESTERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL -
A Chesterfield Secondary School is celebrating the opening of its new Student Resource and Learning Centre. More...

BUILDING LIFE
SKILLS -
Year six children at New Whittington Community Primary school got a taste of town planning when they took part in a unique project designed to coincide with 'money week' in school. More...