The picture has suddenly become brighter for young artists at a Lincolnshire grammar school who were getting just a little to their work.
An absence of serviceable aprons at Queen Elizabeth’s High School in Gainsborough meant that art class pupils often risked their clothing being splattered with paint.
But the high-achieving school, which like many others has concerns about underfunding, said there was no money in the kitty to buy replacement aprons.
Now, however, the mum of one of its students has stepped forward to fund the purchase.
Tracey Coulson, a directo help out.
Tracey’s son Freddie, aged 12, started last year at Queen Elizabeth’s where head teacher David Allsop is proud of its achievements, despite being among the UK’s lowest-funded schools.
Every year the school asks parents for voluntary financial contributions, and this year the school said was even struggling to cover the costs of the curriculum.
Tracey said she became upset when she found the school – rated “outstanding” by Ofsted – was unable even to buy sufficient text books for students.
She then learned from Freddie that pupils were being advised to the job:
“That’s when I decided that this is a problem we could do something about,” said Tracey.
“I told the rest of my family who run our business about the dilemma, and they were unanimous in agreeing that we should help the school have one less headache.
“We didn’t think it’s fair that such hard-working teaching staff should have the extra worry about students damaging their clothes, which is why we decided to step in,” she added.
Now the school has taken delivery of 90 brand new aprons which will enable all art class pupils to create their masterpieces without mishaps.
Tracey said the donation was simply continuing a long history of supporting good causes which was started by her father, former farmer John Kinch, when he established The Elms 35 years ago.
Today, the business provides over 300 park homes in its 60-acre grounds, and both residents and the park itself are often actively involved in local fundraising projects.
John Kinch died last November, aged 86, and the business is today run by his children Tracey, Stuart, Ann and Johnny.
Head teacher David Allsop and head of art Emily Walsh both expressed the school’s gratitude to Tracey and her family for their valuable and much appreciated gesture.
There is more information about the park on its website at www.elmsretirementpark.co.uk.