SCHOOLCHILDREN are making the most of their revamped swimming pool and changing rooms after being awarded a special prize in our School Build Save Our Schools competition.

The contest offering one lucky school a £7,500 building project, in conjunction with Abingdon-based construction company Leadbitter went down a storm with readers.

Although North Kidlington School clinched first prize by collecting a huge 19,300 vouchers for its wildlife area project, Eynsham Primary School came a close second.

And because the school had been neck-and-neck with North Kidlington the whole way through – nudging into first place at one point – Leadbitter decided to award a special runners-up prize.

Now staff, parents and pupils are benefiting from the revamp of their swimming pool changing rooms. There are new seats and the whole area including the pool surround has had a lick of paint.

Headteacher Zena Vass said the children loved the new look. She added: “Our old area was a bit run down and dilapidated.

“The children love swimming and it is an essential and life-saving skill for us all to learn so it is fantastic we have such a wonderful area now. It is something the whole community can enjoy too. We would like to say a big thank-you to everyone who helped us collect the vouchers.”

Leadbitter’s regional director Richard Nixon said the competition had been a chance to give something back to the community.

He added: “We’re delighted Eynsham likes the project. They asked us if we could put a few little extra finishing touches to the area so we did and it looks great. Both the schools have been a pleasure to work with.”

North Kidlington’s outdoor learning area and bird hide was completed by the start of term.