Children and staff of Hamstead Infant School were very excited to have had a visit from the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Julie Webb . The special visit was in order to open the school’s new outdoor classroom. 
In February of last year the school were lucky enough to be one of three recipients of Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ initiative. The scheme sees Tesco donate money, from the 5p charged for each plastic bag they sell, to worthy projects in the local community.
The infant school in Great Barr put forward their application to get money to build an outdoor classroom. The project was shortlisted and then put to Tesco shoppers at the local superstore who voted for the £10,000 grant to go to the school.
The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Julie Webb was delighted to be a part of the opening for this new project and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the school. She said: “I was delighted to be here and hope the children take full advantage of this outdoor classroom. Congratulations to the school, Parents, Governors, Tesco and Groundwork for supporting this project.”
The whole school, staff, parents and governors were all in attendance to greet the Mayor and see the grand opening of their new outdoor learning classroom.
Hamstead Infant School Headteacher, Miss Andrea Day expressed her gratitude to Tesco and the local community. She said “The children and staff are very excited about having a new outdoor classroom for lots of new and exciting learning activities.”
 “The school feel very lucky to have been picked for this brilliant community initiative and want to say a massive thank you to Tesco for shortlisting us for this opportunity. We would also like to say how grateful we are to all the parents and the local community who voted and supported our school.”
Sid Sidhu, Community Champion at Tesco Extra West Bromwich was at the opening of the new outdoor classroom. He said:  “It’s been wonderful to have played a part in this journey and to see their dream become a reality, showing first-hand how a Bags of Help grant can transform local communities.
“There has been great enthusiasm for the initiative from Tesco colleagues, our customers and all those associated with Hamstead Infant School.
“This is just the beginning for Bags of Help and we are hugely excited for the future as the scheme continues to grow and help even more groups across the UK.” 
Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services also attended the opening of the new outdoor classroom said: “The money from Tesco has been put to such good use and I know the school and parents are grateful to both them and Groundwork for their continued support.” 
The school project and the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ scheme was supported by Groundwork who work in the West Midlands and aim to transform disadvantaged communities through high quality regeneration programmes across the West Midlands.