Burgled eco-friendly Goldthorpe school receives gold award boost

Children at Goldthorpe Primary have achieved the “gold” level in the Green Tree Schools Awards run by the Woodland Trust.

Teacher Christopher Wharton described the award as “a brighter note as we try to move forward and carry on our outdoor education programme”.

Schools are rewarded points for completing environmental projects and encourage outdoor learning.

Mr Wharton said: “The award is a fantastic way to enhance the schools green credentials while inspiring children about woods and trees.”

Police are investigating the break-in at the school at 4am on Sunday, September 10, in which cutting gear was used to burgle a shed in the playground after cutting through a secutity fence.

CCTV footage was examined but darkness and bad weather had made it impossible to identify the culprits, Mr Wharton said.

The school runs classes for dozens of children from seven schools but these are on hold while the damage is repaired and tools replaced.

The burglary came just a few days after more than 70 children enjoyed lessons in the open air as part of international Outdoor Classroom Day, harvesting a bumper autumn haul of vegetables

Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 121 of September 11.