Partnering with Local Schools to Inspire Play, Learning, and Community Pride

Posted 22/04/2025

We are committed to working with local schools and community groups near our developments. Around our Hayes Town Centre and Avondale Drive developments, we have been proud to partner with local schools to enhance outdoor learning, promote creativity, and support children’s wellbeing through a range of initiatives.

Supporting Play, Learning, and Sustainability

Working with Minet Infant and Nursery School, near our Avondale Drive development, we have donated surplus construction materials to enhance their Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme.

OPAL is a nationally recognised school improvement initiative that transforms outdoor playtimes, helping to create more imaginative, creative, and stimulating environments. Research shows that play is vital for children’s physical, emotional, and social development, and OPAL helps embed the importance of play into school life.

Through our donations, including wooden pallets, cable drums, carpet samples, and plastic tubing, we’re thrilled that materials from our construction sites can be repurposed to foster imaginative play and outdoor learning. Play makes up around 20% of a child’s time at school, and we are proud to contribute to a programme that makes such a meaningful impact on children's well-being and education.

Bringing Community Creativity to Hayes

We have also partnered with local schools to celebrate creativity and community pride through public art displays on our hoardings.

At Hayes Town Centre, students from Botwell House Catholic Primary School created vibrant artwork based on themes such as:

·       What's Cooking

·       Parks and Green Spaces

·       Littering and the Environment

·       Leisure and Physical Wellbeing

Meanwhile, at Avondale Drive, students from Minet Infant and Junior Schools have also produced artwork inspired by Self Portraits in the style of Picasso and ‘What makes me happy?’

These fantastic creations are now proudly displayed along Pump Lane and near the schools, brightening up the local environment and celebrating the creativity of young people in the community.

At Higgins, we are committed not only to constructing high-quality homes but also to investing in the communities where we work, supporting