Batley Grammar School
The brief was to transform an existing space into an interactive and multiuse play area.
About the Project
The brief from Batley Grammar School over a number of years has been to transform an existing space into an interactive and multiuse play area for their EYFS, KS1 and KS2 pupils. In order to turn their vision into a reality we first needed to understand the brief to design the space that adopts both education and excitement.
With careful assessment and collaboration with the school we identified areas that could be repurposed and optimised to create a diverse and dynamic play environment.
The Adventure Trail we installed was designed to challenge the older children’s coordination and balance, while the Bike Track encouraged them to enhance their locomotor skills.
An Outdoor Classroom was incorporated to provide a unique learning environment for the pupils. This is not just a space to listen and learn but to also relax, de-stress. In addition to the Outdoor Classroom to allow pupils and teachers to be outside no matter what the British weather throws at them, we installed a shelter with seating area and storage space.
On either side of the shelter, we added KS1 & 2 appropriate outdoor gym equipment for children to use as part of PE classes or during their breaks to promote a healthy lifestyle and develop their strength, balance and co-ordination.
Within the EYFS area our Interactive Sensory Play Panels stimulate the children’s senses, help them develop language skills and motor skills. It also helps with cognitive growth, fosters social interactions and encourages experimentation.
As well as the Messy Play Area we installed a Water Wall with Water Table, Mud Kitchen, Bug Hotel and Timber Playhouse with Sliding Lid Sandbox. Children will use all their senses in the process of exploration, especially the sense of touch through messy play. This type of play is important as it leaves the child to explore all sorts of possibilities. It ignites a child’s curiosity about the world around them.
A lean to shelter with polycarbonate roof was install off the school building to create an area of shelter from the elements. With artificial grass surfacing to create zoning, a storage unit and picnic table this created a space where the teaching can be brought outdoors.
We recognise the power of storytelling and role play in stimulating the imagination and expanding language skills. The Storytelling area is a designated area that allows children to invent stories, read poems and perform in front of their peers.
Our Sunbeam Play Climbing Structure helps children develop their gross motor skills, building strength by climbing up the structure’s rope and rock ramp. Whilst the Bike Track also helps improve children’s gross motor skills it will also enhance their locomotor skills.
Our most recent addition to the schools play provision has been a custom Sports Shack which was a shed like structure which can be used as storage for sports equipment and also turn into an outdoor learning space. The waterproof structure with bifold doors allows for the unit to adapt to the weather, creating a cosy indoor space or opening things up so that the classroom can be taken outside when the weather permits. Bonded rubber mulch surfacing in front of the unit also provides additional usable space. There is a dedicated section of the unit for purely sports storage which the children can access and self select the equipment they wish to use. There are small sports targets on the front and inside an artificial grass surfacing with beanbags and shelving.
Feedback from Mrs. Karen Dack – School Business Manager at Batley Grammar School:
“Playground Imagineering have made a significant contribution to the transformation of our outdoor learning spaces, completing several projects and they have always been a pleasure to deal with, I would not hesitate to use them again and would highly recommend them to others.”
- Messy play Area
- Story Tellers Chair
- Timber Playhouse with Sliding Lid Sandbox
- Sunbeam Play Structure
- Bike Track
- Sensory Play Panels
- Mark Making Boards
- Polycarbonate shelter
- Storage options
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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