'This is the best thing ever': Luton pupils delighted with school’s nine-hole crazy golf course
Nearly 500 children in Luton are enjoying a crazy golf course on their school grounds thanks to a grant from Luton Airport.
Stopsley Primary School was given £10,000 to install the nine-hole course on its site after its assistant headteacher, Mr Dymock, applied for a grant.
The funding from the airport was used alongside a donation from the school’s parent-teacher association to boost students' and teachers' mental health and wellbeing.
Headteacher Richard Fordham said: “We want to offer enrichment opportunities to all our children, particularly as some may not get these when away from school. Crazy golf is fantastic. It is fun and sociable.
“The children love it already, and a few of them have already hit holes in one!”
The course has a windmill, a helter skelter, a rocket, bridges, and volcanoes. It has been used by the children during PE lessons, as part of a club, and during their playtimes.
Mr Fordham explained: “It is a unique thing to have at the school. It's innovative and imaginative in providing something valuable for our local children. It helps improve children's (and adults’) resilience. It develops their team building skills and other important life skills.”
Captain of his golf club, Mr Dymock is the reigning champion, completing the course in just 22 shots.
Some of the pupils shared their thoughts about the school’s latest bit of kit.
A year six student said: “This is the best thing ever. I thought Mr Fordham was joking when he first mentioned it in our assembly, but then it was here... An actual crazy golf course!”
A year four student said: "We love the course. It's great fun to play. You can really improve your skills in golf. I didn't know how to play when I started, and then I nearly got a hole-in-one recently."
Another child explained how the course has helped them get better at counting by tallying up their shots.
A key stage two pupil who has special educational needs added: "It's really challenging but super exciting!"
Stopsley Primary School said: “We are delighted to have received support from London Luton Airport, managed by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, in order to create our crazy golf course.”