Churchtown Primary School in Southport, part of Endeavour Learning Trust, is celebrating an unforgettable weekend of success, marked by marathon fundraising achievements and a string of prestigious awards.
Staff, parents and pupils have raised over £350,000 to build a brand-new playground at Churchtown, thanks to a huge community effort spanning the London Marathon and Blackpool Festival of Running, including the Blackpool Marathon, alongside local fundraising events across Endeavour’s nine schools.
You can donate here: Fundraiser by Churchtown Primary School : Churchtown Playground
Five runners, including Churchtown Headteacher Jinnie Payne and other Trust staff, ran alongside Sergio Aguiar, Alice’s dad, in the London Marathon, honouring the memory of his daughter and Bebe, two much-loved Churchtown pupils who tragically lost their lives in the Southport attack last year.
Also running were Gareth Caunce – Director of Primary Education at Endeavour Learning Trust; Churchtown parent and fitness expert Sarah Radley-Buck; and Filipe Barata, a close friend to Sergio.
Their run was supported by colleagues taking part in the Blackpool Festival of Running, as well as activities across the schools including a fundraising day at nearby Linaker Primary School in Southport, which joined the Endeavour family in December last year.
Thanks to the generosity and determination of the Churchtown and wider Endeavour communities, work on the new playground will begin soon to be ready to open in September. Any additional funds raised will be donated to local charities supporting those affected by the tragedy.
It was also a weekend of accolades for Churchtown. At the Grand Pride of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport on Friday, Jinnie Payne was honoured with the Sefton Community Impact Award, while Churchtown Primary School was named Sefton School of the Year.
Churchtown teacher Pip Coysh was a Finalist in the Sefton Community Impact Award category.
Endeavour Learning Trust, which runs Churchtown and eight other schools across the North West, was also recognised nationally, being shortlisted for Trust Team of the Year at the Tes Awards, known as the ‘Oscars of education’.
Mrs Payne, who is travelling back home to share her London Marathon medal with the Churchtown pupils, said:
“Crossing the finish line was an overwhelming moment, not just for me, but for everyone at Churchtown. We ran in memory of two incredible young people, Alice and Bebe, and the strength of our community was felt every step of the way.
“The new playground will be a symbol of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that ties our Endeavour family together. I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved, and I can’t wait to see the joy it brings to our pupils.
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Grand Pride of Sefton Awards for recognising our efforts – it’s an honour to be part of such a remarkable community.”
David Clayton, CEO of Endeavour Learning Trust, said:
“Churchtown’s success this weekend is a testament to the extraordinary spirit, resilience and sense of community that defines our Trust. We are incredibly proud of everyone who ran, fundraised, volunteered or supported in any way. Together, we have turned hope into action, and we look forward to celebrating even more milestones as the new playground becomes a reality.”
The new playground at Churchtown Primary School is expected to open later this year, providing a lasting legacy of hope and community spirit for generations of pupils to enjoy.
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