Hillsborough Primary School, on Parkside Road, is being transformed as part of a Business in the Community project – led by volunteer staff from Sheffield-based Liberata.

A team of employees from the company, which manages council tax and benefits on behalf of Sheffield City Council, will join forces with parents and teachers to help completely revamp the school’s IT suite during the February half term holidays (11-16 February).

They will also take time out of their day jobs to help fully refurbish the nursery during the Easter break (21 March – 6 April).

Local companies and organizations are also being asked to help support the project. Mosborough Skips and Lovell have already donated materials and labour towards the programme and more people are being encouraged to get involved.

Andy Platt, Headteacher at Hillsborough School, said: “We have already received a number of very generous contributions but we are really keen to get more local companies on board and we’re desperate for donations of paint, flooring and furniture. Together with Liberata we are planning a series of fundraising activities over the next few weeks and any contributions, however large or small, will be extremely welcome.”

The school was built in 1884 and was originally a nursery, first and middle school.  These were amalgamated 16 years ago and it now has more than 350 children from three to 11 years old.

Andy added: “We are all extremely excited by this refurbishment – it will really bring the school’s facilities right up to date. At Hillsborough, we are committed to encouraging children to achieve their maximum potential academically, socially, physically and emotionally and this transformation will enable us to support these aims.

“We are hugely grateful to Liberata for the great amount of time, effort and money the company is investing in this project and we are confident it will make a lasting impression on our pupils, parents and staff.”

Dale Wood, client director at Liberata, which manages council tax and benefits on behalf of Sheffield City Council, said: “We are delighted to be involved in such an exciting project that will make a really positive difference to the pupils and staff at Hillsborough School.

“Liberata is committed to investing in Sheffield’s future through volunteering projects which have a real impact on the city. The refurbishment programme will not only promote team work within our company but bring great benefits to the local community and highlight just how much can be achieved when people and organisations work together.”

To get involved contact Laura O’Neil on 0796 7210036 or email LauraO’ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(Back L-R) Liberata’s Laura O’Neil and Mark Hadfield; Headteacher Andy Platt and Kath Marples, from Liberata with pupils from Hillsborough School.