Volunteers from Berkeley Homes picked up a paintbrush to refresh classrooms at Christ Church Bentinck School ahead of the new academic year.

With just days to go until term begins, volunteers from Berkeley Homes arrived at Christ Church Bentinck CE Primary School in late August armed with paint, rollers and brushes to give classrooms a much-needed refresh for September.

Berkeley Homes are currently developing West End Gate, a state-of-the-art residence bringing new homes to Marble Arch. Colleagues from Berkeley Homes are passionate about having a beneficial impact on the local community here in Marble Arch and this volunteering activity was the first of a varied programme of events to come.

Eight volunteers were tasked with preparing and painting three classrooms over the course of the day and gave up a total of 45 hours out of their busy schedules. The previous paintwork had become scuffed and worn and the school were keen for children to return in September to a clean and fresh environment. Colleagues got straight to work painting heavily marked skirting boards, walls and door frames, making light work of the big task at hand.

Volunteers were able to finish the task with time to spare, and donated all their remaining painting supplies (including several litres of paint, untouched rollers and brushes) to the school to use for many projects to come. Christ Church Bentinck staff were thrilled with the result, remarking just how spotless and new the rooms looked. The work of these volunteers has improved the teaching and learning environment for all at the school, offering pupils a calm and clean space to work – and fresh walls to decorate with their art!