Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 4 December 2008
As Snow cuts the tape, he promises pupils: “You’ll be the fittest and liveliest kids in north London”
A paradise that’s trouble proof – up on the roof
Jon Snow (and Mr Sunshine) open Brecknock’s new playground
WEARING one of his trademark colourful ties, Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow braved the chilly temperatures to open a new primary school roof last week – complete with panoramic views of London, upgraded toilets and a state of the art trampoline. Mr Snow took time out to thank “Mr Sunshine” for coming out for the special unveiling at Brecknock School in Cliff Villas, Kentish Town – where his own children were once pupils – before cutting the ribbon at the new playground on Friday.
He told the children they would be the “fittest, loveliest” youngsters in Camden because of the acres of space they now have to run around in and the new safety-netted trampoline that allows the youngsters to see vast views of London the higher they bounce.
Mr Snow, who lives nearby, said: “It’s a beautiful space – no school in north London has got a space like this. “When my kids went to this school, the roof was really grotty. “You will be the fittest, loveliest kids in north London.”
Headteacher Sue Ladipo revealed that Brecknock is the only school in Camden to have a roof playground, describing it as “fantastic”.
She also confirmed that the school was now one of the greenest in the borough, as it has been insulated to keep the heat inside the Victorian building.
She pledged to share the facilities with other schoolchildren, adding: “When I first came to the school and saw that roof playground – the view is like a history lesson – I thought all it needed to do was put colour in it.”
She said they planned to put in grass areas and are saving up for “child-size” chess pieces for the giant board they have painted.