The Green Space Project 2025
What is it all about?
For a long time, the PTA has aimed to secure safe and accessible green space for the children of The Croft Primary School. Feedback from parents and the Pupil Parliament confirms that this is a priority for our Croftie community.
Working alongside The Croft Primary School, the White Horse Federation, GLL (Better Health), Swindon Borough Council, and local residents, we are committed to turning this vision into reality.
The Current Situation:
After careful consideration, we made the tough but necessary decision to refurbish the woodland area and curved paths. While this space had potential, it was unusable for much of the year, often leaving the school grounds messy and impractical. Unfortunately, this change reduced the outdoor green space from 0.77 square meters per pupil to zero. Now we want to create a more sustainable and functional green space fir for the future.
With collaboration and determination, we aim to provide the children with a secure, inviting environment that supports their well-being and learning.
Personal Statement from Chair
As one of the Chairs of PTA, I find it deeply concerning that children at a school the size of The Croft do not have access to dedicated, safe green playing fields. While the school is adjacent to a public open space, it’s not secure or practical for the children to use freely. Every child deserves a safe, green environment where they can play, thrive, and enjoy the outdoors.
This is why I firmly believe we can—and must—make this vision a reality. With your support, we can create the kind of space that allows our children to run, laugh, and play on the grass or find shade under trees during the summer. Such an environment is vital for their well-being and growth.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more details on how you can get involved and help us achieve this goal. Together, we can ensure our children have the space they deserve.
Kind regards,
Jim
Please sign our petition here:
What are the options?
We have looked at several options of what we would like to achieve, please have a look at the images and information below:
Option 1:
Acquire Southern higher elevation by the school.
This would significantly increase the green space
Available green space would be 1279 Sqm
3 Sqm per pupil
Option 2:
Acquire western area by the school
This would significantly increase the green space
Available green space would be 1226 Sqm
2.9 Sqm per pupil
Option 3:
Acquire southern area around the school up to the gravel walkway.
This would significantly increase the green space
Available green space would be 2733 Sqm
6.5 Sqm per pupil
UPDATE November 2025
What has happened? :
Online petition to gather parental and community support! A massive 586! Signatures!
Political engagement, MP Heidi Alexander has visited the school and has offered fantastic support and advice.
Engaged with GLL owners of Better Health for support with our plans.
Approached Swindon Borough Council to make them aware of that we are pursuing it again.
What is next?:
We are now in discussions with White Horse Federation, the school, GLL and the council to look at a way forward for our ambitions.
The final Option 3 is still our preferred layout for the greenspace, but we have made some changes to accommodate lorries that need to access the field.
We will keep you updated!