Supporting Our Local Schools: Haywood Village Academy

Earlier this year Howards Motor Group announced the Schools we will support in 2024, as part of our Howards Family Charitable Partnerships Programme. These schools are based in each town we are based in, and mean a lot to both our employees and community.
We believe that investing in education is crucial for the future of our communities, and we strive to make a difference in the lives of students and teachers.

This week we visited Haywood Village Academy in Weston-Super-Mare to celebrate and take a look at the resources the school have been able to buy with the donation. We were delighted to see the school put the donation to use for pupils across the school with a variety of resources for outdoor play and classroom activities.

The donation enabled the purchase of iPads, which Key Stage 1 students have been using enthusiastically. Children shared how the iPads support their learning, with one student explaining, “We play TTRS Rockstars and Numbots on these to help with our number skills!" The school’s HVA radio pod DJs were excited to receive new headphones, and the outdoor play area saw an upgrade with new footballs and clipboards for drawing and note-taking. One Year 4 pupil eagerly demonstrated his goalkeeping skills using the newly acquired rebound ball equipment. In addition, Pre-school facilities were enhanced with new furniture, including storage units for loose parts and a much-needed changing table.

 Mr Jacob Hollings, Retail Operations Manager for Howards Toyota, stated the Group’s commitment to investing in local communities: “Supporting local schools and initiatives like this is incredibly important to us. With a strong presence in Weston-super-Mare, Yeovil, Dorchester, and Taunton, we take pride in our long-standing history of giving back to the communities we serve. Whether through donations to schools, local sports clubs, or other causes, we stay committed to making a positive impact."

Chris Lee, Managing Director of Howards Motor Group, added: "Our Howards Family Charitable Partnership Programme was set up to ensure that we are contributing to the well-being of our communities in meaningful ways. By supporting local schools like Haywood Village Academy, we’re helping to create environments where children can thrive both academically and personally. It's wonderful to see the immediate impact our donation is having here."

 Mr Jones, Principal of Haywood Village Academy, expressed his appreciation for the support: "It’s widely known that school budgets can be very challenging, so we are hugely appreciative of this generous donation from Howards Motor Group. The new equipment will positively impact the children’s school experience. We feel very supported, and it has been fantastic to be visited by Jacob so that he can see how resources like these can enhance the children's day."