Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

PLAYSAFE PRIZEWINNERS TRIP TO LONDON

On the 13^th January a team from Roberttown Junior and Infant School were presented with their prize of £1000 worth of computer equipment by Baroness Wilcox of Plymouth, the President of the Trading Standards Institute, for winning the National Playsafe Competition.

The Playsafe Competition is run annually by the Trading Standards Institute and the British Toy and Hobby Association.  The essence of the competition is to design on paper, a safe toy suitable for children aged 4-6. All the entries were exhibited at the annual Trading Standards Institute Conference in Birmingham and were judged by the British Toy and Hobby Association and experts in toy safety from Trading Standards. Roberttown Junior School won their 9-11 age category for their design for the “Space-tacular Planet Hopscotch” which also won the overall prize for the safest toy for all age categories, beating entries from pupils as old as seventeen.

Not only did the winning team get presented with the computer but they also went to London to pick it up!  They were invited to the House of Lords to receive their prize and also got to watch the Lord Chancellor enter the Chamber and sit in on questions. The day was completed with a visit to the world famous toy store Hamley’s. All nine pupils were thrilled to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service commented:

“All the children had a fantastic day in London and were thrilled at the opportunity to meet Baroness Wilcox and look around the House of Lords.  It is hoped that the success of Roberttown Junior and Infant School in such a prestigious competition, will inspire other West Yorkshire Schools to enter the Playsafe competition this year”

For further information please contact

Carol Hallett: Education and Promotions Officer 0113 3836407

Graham Hebblethwaite: Divisional Manager/ General Media Contact 0113 2898218

Notes to Editors

A photograph session has been arranged with the school and pupils, along with Ann Taylor MP on Monday 20^th January at 9am – Roberttown J & I School, Church Road, Roberttown, Liversedge