Lodge Farm Primary School fights back after arson attack
A school community is fighting back against vandals and arsonists who have struck twice in the space of a few months.
Lodge Farm Primary School, in Furzebank Way, Willenhall, was targeted last Friday at between 5pm and 5.30pm when vandals smashed windows to the rear of the school and splattered the walls with paint, before setting a shed ablaze, which contained outdoor play equipment, wellies and toys belonging to nursery children.
It came just a couple of months after six skylights on the roof were smashed and the air conditioning system was wrecked in May.
After shocking images of flames tearing through the wooden structure were posted on the school's Facebook page, parents turned their anger into a wave of community spirit, and before long, donations and cash were rolling in to help repair and safeguard the school.
So far, Homeserve has pledged to donate £500 and has offered to further support the school with cleaners to help get rid of debris. CB Fencing will be donating a new shed, and Dulux have pledged free pots of paint.
Parents and children have also taken on fundraising, with youngsters raising cash through a car wash and sponsored bike ride, while several other fundraising activities are in the pipeline including a disco and a fun day.
More than £500 has been raised so far through fundraising activities and an online crowdfunding appeal.
Natalie Boys, headteacher at the school, has been overwhelmed by the response of parents and children, and said that the school has stepped up its security to combat 'mindless' crooks in the future.
She said: "They've gained nothing from doing this. It is the children that suffer. Thank goodness no-one was hurt when it happened, it doesn't bear thinking about.
"We have CCTV covering the school now. There is anti-climbing paint on the gates which is permanent, although we've had signs up telling people that and they've torn them down.
"The reaction from the parents and children has been really overwhelming. We put the message out to try and make sure parents are vigilant and to keep them informed of what was happening. Everyone has been amazing, I can't thank them all enough."
A meeting was held by parents at the school on Monday to talk through what had happened, and how to help generate cash for the school.
Sally-Anne Millard, whose son Cameron-Kai, eight, attends the school, said: "You could see on the pictures that they broke into the shed and set fire to the toys. It's such a horrible thing to do to children.
"It has brought everyone together as a community though, so that's a really positive thing."
To donate to the school go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/sarah-matthews-2lodgefarm-school
