New 'buddy bench' for Thornton Primary School

A new 'buddy bench' has been installed at Thornton Primary School, in a bid to foster strong friendships and help children who are struggling.
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The rainbow-coloured bench, donated by retirement property builders McCarthy and Stone, is being trialled as a way of bringing children together to help each other.

The school, on Heys Street, Thornton, hoped the buddy bench would facilitate the creation of new friendships and encourage sensitivity towards the feelings of other people in the school community.

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Gemma Brocklehurst, a teacher at Thornton Primary School, said supporting the emotional wellbeing of children was at the heart of the school, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Year One pupils Charlie Lord, Penelope Lovatt, Harry Gearing and Henry Berry enjoy their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.Year One pupils Charlie Lord, Penelope Lovatt, Harry Gearing and Henry Berry enjoy their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.
Year One pupils Charlie Lord, Penelope Lovatt, Harry Gearing and Henry Berry enjoy their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.

"By having a buddy bench in the playground our children can be there for each other when someone needs to talk or find someone to play with," Mrs Brocklehurst added.

"This year has been hugely challenging for many of us and our children have shown us just how resilient they are.

"We want to show the children that it’s okay to not feel okay, and to encourage them not to keep this bottled up, but to share how they’re feeling with our staff, with their peers, and at home.

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"The buddy bench is a great tool to be able to do this, and we are extremely grateful to McCarthy and Stone for their kind donation."

Reception pupils Isla Ganderton, Cole Price, Winston Richards Smith and Millie Badenoch are excited about their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.Reception pupils Isla Ganderton, Cole Price, Winston Richards Smith and Millie Badenoch are excited about their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.
Reception pupils Isla Ganderton, Cole Price, Winston Richards Smith and Millie Badenoch are excited about their new buddy bench, which was donated to Thornton Primary School by McCarthy and Stone retirement property builders.

Deborah Bond, marketing executive for McCarthy and Stone, said: "Fostering connections and a sense of belonging and companionship is something our developments do so well.

"We hope the pupils at Thornton Primary School continue to develop long-lasting friendships from the bench."

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