Minibus joy for St Philip Howard

Students at St Philip Howard school were ‘ecstatic’ following a kind donation of a minibus to help them attend long distance competitions - all from the generosity of an ex-pupil. 

The minibus, which comfortably fits 14 passengers plus the driver, will allow students the opportunity to attend competitions and events further afield, as Glossop’s rural backdrop can have its limitations. 

Sam White, head of PE at the school, explained: “Being a school in a rural area can limit access to many competitions and having our own minibus will open up many options. 

“The minibus will be a vital part of our sporting offer, where we will have easier access to our partnership local sporting clubs that include Dinting Cricket Club, Glossop Rugby Club and Glossop Golf Club as well as the playing fields at St Margaret’s.

“This means more of our pupils will be physically active in a wider range of activities on a more regular basis.” 

The donation, which had a number of students jumping for joy, was gifted by Heath Rowland, who is the joint owner of Glossop-based UK Land Care Limited with Stephen Tootell.

Heath has his own links to the school, having attended St Philip Howard and wanted to ‘give something back’ for all the good times he had during his time there. 

“As a local business, myself and my partner Stephen like to do little things for the community, such as sponsoring Challenge Derbyshire who support local hospices. 

Memories

“But this year I decided that it would be St Philip Howard, as I went to the school there and have many fond memories and wanted to give something back for when I was a student.

“We went along to a meeting at the school and originally we were going to buy things such as PE kits and sports equipment, which we are still going to do, but when we talked with the deputy head he said that local clubs were offering their facilities to the kids in the day - but the school were struggling to get them there and mentioned a minibus.

“A minibus is a big ask, but I had a chat with Stephen and we both decided that it would be a nice thing to do - so we stretched the budget and bought a bus.”

The importance of the gift was certainly not lost on head teacher Louisa Morris, who saw the children’s reactions first-hand as they poured around the bus - with some pupils now interested in joining extra-curricular activities.

Louisa added: “We are thrilled to receive the new St Philip Howard minibus. When the children came out of class they were ecstatic and hundreds of them were queuing around the bus.

“One girl said it was amazing and said that she was going to ask her mum if she could join a club so that she could go on the bus! I am truly humbled by the generosity that has been shown and we will make great use of it and it will provide many opportunities for the children.”

Main image:

DONATION: Heath Rowland and his business partner Stephen Tootell from UK Landcare and Sam White, associate assistant headteacher and head of PE with students and the new minibus.