Taylor Wimpey helps Banbury pupils get creative at home during lockdown

The housebuilder tasked children at the school, which is near the Castle Grange development, to craft their ideal bedroom using materials of their choice. Pupils could submit drawings, digital creations or 3D models of their ideal space, limited only by their imagination.

A range of creative entries were submitted, featuring designs on paper, in Lego and using a variety of household materials. After a difficult judging process, first place was eventually awarded to year 4 pupil Kyle for his shark-themed bedroom.

Second and third places were also awarded, and the winners received a selection of arts and crafts prizes. As a special bonus, Kyle and his classmates will also be invited on a tour of their local Taylor Wimpey show home once it is safe to do so.

Lisa Burrell, interior designer at Redditch-based Claude Hooper, helped launch the competition by filming a video for pupils, and was part of the judging panel.

She said: “It’s been great to see such a range of thoughtful and imaginative designs using a variety of materials, and it was definitely a challenge to choose the winner. I was absolutely spoiled for choice with all of the wonderful ideas, but was ultimately delighted to give first prize to Kyle and his creation.”

Danielle Heard, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire, said: “In the current climate it’s crucial that we all stay safe, but it’s also important that we stay connected with our communities.

"We were really keen to reach out to Hanwell Fields Community School whilst it was closed and help challenge pupils to use their imagination and get creative. We were so pleased to see so many brilliant entries to the bedroom design competition.”

Caroline Bond headteacher at Hanwell Fields Community School, said: “The competition has been a fantastic and fun opportunity for our pupils during their home learning period. It is a wonderful example of the wider enrichment experiences we want them to enjoy alongside their learning as part of an ‘education with character’.

“I would like to congratulate all our pupils who took part, particularly those who won top prizes, and to thank the team at Taylor Wimpey for their continued support of local schools.”

Message from the Banbury Guardian editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.