Grimsby school kids reach new heights with Redrow

Lessons at Scartho Junior School, in Grimsby, reached new heights last week when housebuilder Redrow Homes made a flying visit with its very own hot air balloon.

Pupils met the pilot of the giant red and white balloon and learned all about the history and science of this fascinating pastime.

They also got to see the balloon’s envelope being inflated with 105,000 cubic feet (2,973m3) of hot air.

Headmaster, Neville Rice, said: “The children really enjoyed Thursday’s lesson. From a teaching point of view, it was a great tangible learning exercise. We were particularly interested in the scientific aspect of how balloons fly.”

The Redrow Hot air balloon regularly flies at balloon fiestas and special events all over the UK but will also be completing a tour of schools in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire during October. It was built by Shropshire-based Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons, who have created more than 4,500 balloons in total, including the world’s largest.

Redrow’s balloon is 21 metres high from the basket to the top of balloon. It can carry a pilot plus four people. More than 850 metres of fabric were used to create what is known as the ‘envelope’ – enough material to wrap two double-decker buses!

Patsy Aicken, sales manager for Redrow, says: “The balloon is always a popular attraction and it’s great that it can be used as an educational prop. Scartho Junior School is local to our Kirk’s Paddock development in Grimsby and it’s always nice to get involved in the communities in which we build.”

“We will also be stopping by at other schools within the next few weeks, including ones in Malton and the Selby area.”

For more information about Redrow Homes and its new homes visit redrow.co.uk.