Although this week’s snowfall and an unimpressive summer might make it difficult to picture warmer climates, a Radlett school has prepared itself for future sunshine and heat.

Students at St John’s School, in Gills Hill Lane, have been given a large sunshade to counter regular complaints of sunshine soaking and overheating the playground.

Parents and friends of the school helped raise £11,000 for the project, an amount which was matched by the local branch of the Harpenden Building Society.

The £22,000 was raised during a series of fundraising events and was used to build the sunshade which will also be used as an outdoor classroom.

In addition to this, the money helped buy a large play fort, a climbing wall and a “whisper corner” surrounded by flowers and shrubs.

Manager of the Radlett building society branch, Pauline Wright, said: “For many year the playground at St John’s School in Radlett has baked in the sun and whilst soaring temperatures have not been a major problem this summer, it has caused problems for pupils over the years on hot summer days.

She added that it was “wonderful” to be able to help out a local school.