Staff from Bristol University including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, will be going back to school today [Thursday, 17 August] to complete an imaginative challenge for pupils at Novers Lane Junior School, Knowle West, Bristol.

Over 40 staff from across 30 University departments, ranging from Biochemistry to Personnel, have volunteered their time for the one-day challenge. The staff will be swapping their normal roles for those of decorators, erecting chalkboards and painting colourful games to help rejuvenate the playground for the school’s 200 pupils.

The challenge, organised by the University’s Centre for Public Engagement, will help provide the school with a more interactive and vibrant play area and a colourful new look. The games have been designed by staff with funding from the University’s Active Community Fund.

Julia Skinner, Head Teacher, Novers Lane Junior School, said: “We're grateful to the University of Bristol for helping us improve the environment and standard of the outside play areas at the school. Hopefully it's the start of an excellent partnership where we work together to enhance and improve the learning experience in this school.”

Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bristol, said: “We’re delighted to be able to help out Novers Lane Junior School in this way and hope that it will be a really good team building experience for all those taking part, as well as an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of community issues.”

The challenge will take place today between 9 am and 7 pm at Novers Lane Junior School, Novers Lane, Knowle West, Bristol.

Bristol University is committed to supporting the city’s social infrastructure and was the first university in the country to have implemented a staff volunteering day. This allows one day’s paid leave per year for each of the University’s 5,300 members of staff to undertake voluntary work. In addition, over 800 students are involved in volunteering.