Thousands raised for inclusive school playground

Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been raised to help build a new school playground.

More than £460,000 has been raised for Friends of Mont à l'Abbé School in Jersey since September 2025, with the funds set to deliver a fully inclusive playground for pupils at the school.

It was hoped to provide a purpose-built outdoor space for the school's 140 pupils, all of whom had additional and complex learning needs, organisers said.

Children's charity Variety Jersey said construction was expected to begin later this year and was not expected to interfere with the running of the school.

The project initially began after a visit to the school by the charity's former chief barker, Sandra Auckland, alongside supporters Greg Wills and James Scott of Beauport Partners.

In recognition of their contribution, Auckland named Wills and Scott as "honorary ambassadors" and they were presented with silver hearts.

Liz Searle, head teacher at the school, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to see the vision of an inclusive playground come to life.

"This new space will allow every child, regardless of their needs, to play, interact, and grow in a safe, enriching environment.

"We're deeply grateful to Variety Jersey and Beauport Partners for their dedication to our students' futures."

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