Three schools in south Bucks have received almost £30,000 in total to help improve their facilities and, in turn, help the schools’ communities.

Jordans, Castlefield and St John’s Church of England Combined schools have been awarded £29,980 from the Big Lottery Fund as part of 44 projects given grants totalling £1.2 million across the south east, which bosses say will “support a diverse range of projects that enable people to improve their skills, meet new people and strengthen their communities”.

Jordans School in Beaconsfield received £10,000 for playground developments for extra-curricular activities at the school.

The money will be used to install a play frame for use by the school community, which funding bosses say will “provide people with the opportunities to improve their health”.

Castlefield School in High Wycombe received £9,980 for their Play 2 Learn project, which will use the funding to install playground markings and play equipment for use outside of “regular curriculum hours” to help “facilitate the improvement of pupils”.

St John’s Church of England Combined School in Lacey Green, near Princes Risborough, also received £10,000 to put in an outdoor early years play space area, which will include a sensory area dry wipe magnetic panel and roofed seating area.

Head teacher Gill Grimsley said: “We are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for granting this award.

“Having this opportunity to improve this area of the school will benefit all children in our Reception class.

“The enjoyment on the children’s faces as they go about their work in the area will be magical to see but also highlight the difference this has made.”