Stewards Academy are delighted to have been awarded £2000 in the latest round of Locality Fund allocations. Between May 2024 and February 2025 all Essex County Councillors were invited to nominate schemes or projects to benefit the division they represent. County Councillor Clive Souter supported Stewards’ bid to be considered for funding. The new funds will be used to develop one of our garden areas. New raised beds, shrubs, flowers and outdoor games such as football posts and Giant Jenga are just some of the things that will make the area more exciting and engaging for our pupils. Assistant Headteacher, Mr Perrin, who is overseeing the project said: ‘This is fantastic news. These funds will go a long way to making our outdoor space much nicer for pupils. This will also give the pupils an opportunity to not only have hands on experience planting new shrubs and flowers but also enable them to learn about how to care for them in the right way. The pupils are particularly keen to start using the new Jenga set. Thanks to Clive Souter for supporting our bid.’

County Councillor Clive Souter said ‘I am really pleased the pupils at Stewards will get to benefit from a newly improved outdoor space. Anything we can do to get pupils away from their screens and out in the fresh air is to be welcomed. I look forward to seeing the space once the work is complete.’