Hayfield Primary School sets up bike refurbishment service

A High Peak school has set up an innovative project to keep pupils busy while also teaching them practical skills and helping others.
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Hayfield Primary school has set up a bike refurbishment service, repairing damaged bikes and finding homes for surplus ‘recovered’ bikes.

The project, which was inspired by PE teacher Zoe Shaw, has received initial funding support from Hollingworth Bakery.

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Year six pupils now have storage, tools and support of bike shops, the police and wider communities. Children learn to strip, clean, fix and put bikes back together. They are then presented to children who need a bike– either locally or further afield.

Some of the children at Hayfield Primary School with their headteacher Stefan Papadopoulos and PE Teacher Zoe Shaw, with a bike currently under repair and renewal.Some of the children at Hayfield Primary School with their headteacher Stefan Papadopoulos and PE Teacher Zoe Shaw, with a bike currently under repair and renewal.
Some of the children at Hayfield Primary School with their headteacher Stefan Papadopoulos and PE Teacher Zoe Shaw, with a bike currently under repair and renewal.

Headteacher Stefan Papadopoulos said: “This project has been transformative in its effect. It appeals to – and involves – children of all abilities. It’s absorbing their interest and energy, giving them practical skills and a sense of worthwhile activity. It’s also a really positive way of teaching them about the wider world. It’s adding to their sense of well-being, helping both themselves and benefitting others.”

He added: “The reaction of the community has been fantastic. Neighbours, villagers, even postal workers, are digging out and donating old and surplus bikes for the children to work on. We’ve been overwhelmed by people’s generosity.”

And Coach Zoey said: “There seems to be a real demand for such a service. All we need now are a few more tools – spanners, allen keys, socket sets, tyre-pumps and similar – and a bike stand and some safety equipment to help the children do even more. We can’t wait to see how far we can take this.”

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