Mini makeover for school playground as SSEN Transmission and Murphy staff get to work

A primary school playground in the Highlands has enjoyed a mini makeover thanks to staff from SSEN Transmission and engineering and construction company Murphy who visited recently to make some outdoor improvements.

The team visited Rosehall Primary School in Sutherland to carry out work including the installation of new planters, a stone path, and steps that were made using reclaimed wood from the school. The team also painted a chessboard onto the playground tarmac. Along with other improvements, the work is designed to make the playground a more appealing and welcoming green space in support of pupils’ learning and development.

SSEN Transmission is working with Murphy on the Spittal - Loch Buidhe - Beauly overhead line project, part of a £20bn investment SSEN Transmission is making to upgrade the electricity network in the north of Scotland to unlock the country’s renewable energy resources in support of national net zero and energy security targets.

As part of this work, SSEN Transmission and its contractors are looking to engage with local communities and support community initiatives wherever possible.

Martin Godwin, Community Liaison Manager for SSEN Transmission, said: “Rosehall Primary is a small school of less than 10 pupils, so we were delighted to lend a hand in helping them to improve their outdoor space.

“Working alongside our colleagues from Murphy we helped enhance the outdoor environment, including the creation of a giant chessboard as well a log pit, stone pathway, new planters, and creating space for mud kitchens and other new features for the playground.

“Our efforts were gratefully received by staff at the school, and we all really hope the children enjoy what we’ve helped create. We’d like to thank the school for the opportunity to come along for the day, and we’d love to come back and help again in future.”

Mark Williams, Senior Project Manager at Murphy, said: “As a company, our purpose is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure – and this extends to the support we can give to the local communities in which we work.

“Our team thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in on the day and helping to improve the children’s outdoor facilities.”

Lesley Morrison, Head Teacher at Rosehall Primary, added: “We are delighted with the mini makeover and want to thank the staff from SSEN Transmission and Murphy for all their hard work. 

“It has completely transformed our outdoor space and children and staff are delighted with the results. The area is much more accessible allowing us to deliver engaging experiences for our pupils to explore subjects like art, maths, and science outside of classroom walls.”