Avondale Park Primary School
About the Project
Avondale Park Primary School wanted to transform a relatively small and awkward area of their playground into an exciting new play space for KS1 and KS2 children.
At the heart of the project was a large, bespoke multi-level climbing structure, designed to become a real ‘wow’ focal point within the playground and make the most of the available space.
The Customer and Objectives
The school wanted to create something that would immediately spark children’s curiosity and encourage them to climb, explore, discover and use their imaginations.
Their brief called for height, challenge and lots of different play opportunities, while retaining a natural, woodland-inspired feel that would complement the small garden and green space within their largely urban school playground.
Rather than filling the area with lots of individual pieces of equipment, the objective was to create one impressive, multifunctional structure that could offer climbing, crawling, balancing, hanging, den building, imaginative play and quieter spaces – all within a relatively compact footprint.
Our Approach
We developed a completely bespoke design specifically around the available space and the school’s wish list.
The structure was designed to make use of height as well as floor space, creating a series of towers, bridges, climbing challenges and different levels for children to travel through and explore.
We also wanted the design to offer more than physical challenge. Quieter enclosed spaces and cubby holes were incorporated at lower levels, alongside a dedicated den-building area with seating, ropes and camouflage netting, giving children opportunities to create, imagine, gather and escape from the more active areas of the playground.
Natural timber and woodland-inspired details helped the structure sit comfortably alongside the existing garden area, creating the feeling of exploring through the trees despite its location within a busy city school playground.
Feedback and Impact
The finished structure has transformed an awkward part of the playground into a striking focal point with play opportunities at every level.
By designing upwards as well as outwards, we were able to provide a significant amount of play value within the available footprint. Children can climb, crawl, balance, hang, travel between towers, discover enclosed spaces and create their own imaginative games – all within one interconnected structure.
The combination of physical challenge and quieter spaces means children can engage with the playground in different ways, while the variety of routes and features encourages curiosity, decision-making and repeat play.
Most importantly, the finished playground has been enthusiastically received by both the school and its pupils.
The school commented:
“I am delighted with the project, and so are the children. Thank you and the team for the communication, process and delivery of the works.”
- Tall Timber Towers & Platforms
- Rope Bridge
- Crawl Tunnel Bridge with Themed HDPE Panels
- Stainless Steel Fireman’s Pole
- Climbing & Traversing Rope Elements
- Enclosed Cubby Holes & Quiet Spaces
- Den Building Area with Timber Frame, Rope & Camouflage Net/Tarpaulin
- Integrated Seating Benches beneath the Den Building Area
- Multiple Climbing, Crawling & Exploring Routes
- Robinia & Laminated Timber Construction
- Themed HDPE Play Panels
- Artificial Grass Safety Surfacing
“The children love their new playground it works so well whatever the weather! Our children absolutely love the sandpit and the bespoke treehouse! They especially enjoy building dens underneath the treehouse, turning it into their own little hideaway.”
Alison Cheetham, EYFS Lead
Higher Lane Primary School
Blackshaw Primary School
“Both playgrounds look so different! The children love it and are having a great time exploring their new equipment”
Julie Carrington , Business Manager
Handcross Park School
“It has now had two terms of busy use and still every day it makes me smile – and the children too. It is such a magical space with so much opportunity”
Jason Gayler, Head of Pre-Prep & Nursery
The Peterborough School
“The design, equipment and overall service was of a very high standard.”
Chris Charlton, Bursar
Batley Grammar School
“I can’t tell you how happy we are with the work and how the plans have come to fruition, thank you to you and all the team at Playground Imagineering.”
Karen Dack, Business Manager
The Cathedral School
“Great value and a quick turnaround, the playground was transformed in just 3 days.”
Mrs Wiskin, Headteacher
Beaumont Primary School
“It was the best design and most competitively priced quotation… they really brought our ideas to life!”
Victoria Griffiths , EYFS Lead
Hindley Junior and Infant School
“The design and finished installation was exactly what we had in mind…the children love it!”
Steven Hyde, Site Manager
Holy Trinity Primary School
“We love the bridge over the tunnel and more importantly, so do the children… it’s been a great success.”
Maggie Thomson, Business Manager
Urmston Infant School
“Playground Imagineering’s bespoke climbing structure was the perfect solution to utilise an awkward space.”
Mark Doherty , Deputy Headteacher
Rupert House School
“Playground Imagineering’s initial design was excellent and they were happy to make the few tweaks we asked for to ensure we got exactly what we wanted. Not only did they deliver the design they also did it on time and to a very high standard. I have no hesitation in recommending their services.”
Mr Kim Rawlingson, Bursar
Avondale Primary School
“It was difficult to envisage what could be achieved with our long, narrow outdoor area. Playground Imagineering’s choice of equipment and well thought out design has completely transformed transformed the playground and utilised the space perfectly.”
Vicky Brown, Headteacher
St John’s Primary School
“We have used Playground Imagineering for a number of projects and they have always exceeded our expectations.”
Mark Speakman, Headteacher
St. Thomas’s Primary School
“A professional approach was taken throughout and our pupils are delighted with the new equipment.”
Sheryl Farnworth, Headteacher
St. Michael’s Primary School
“The new play areas have greatly enhanced our provision and provided our pupils with many hours of enjoyable learning and development opportunities. For much of the work, the children’s ideas have also been carefully incorporated by the Playground Imagineering team into the equipment and areas they have provided. The attention to detail has been greatly valued.”
Alison Hart, Headteacher
St. Hugh of Lincoln Primary School
“After obtaining three quotes for our playground project, we decided to go with Playground Imagineering for the following reasons: I was very impressed with their presentation and proposal as they planned the project with our needs in mind and I felt I was receiving a bespoke service rather than an off the peg solution. As a result the product matches our needs and that of the site perfectly. They were always professional, responsive and when changes were requested, they were dealt with smoothly and without question. I would have no hesitation in recommending Playground Imagineering.”
Mark Mountcastle , Headteacher
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