Devonshire Road Primary School
We created a unique and exciting natural play environment for the children to explore.
About the Project
Devonshire Road Primary School came to us as they wanted to improve their outdoor learning provision by utilising unused areas of their school grounds and have done so in stages over a number of years.
Although the school had a lot of outdoor space, they wanted a dedicated area for learning opportunities and exploration, for their pupils to learn and develop. They wanted to be able to take the children outside for an extensive period of time without having to return to the classroom to examine and discuss their findings.
We took a wasted area at the side of the school anex and turned this into a natural play environment which compliments the schools Forest School Activities. We installed a Large Bug Hotel where the children can identify and discover wildlife, as well as two bird feeders. We reused tyres by placing them along the perimeter for the children to dig and grow flowers, plants and vegetables of their choice. This type of activity allows the children to understand how nature works and gives them a sense of responsibility. We cornered this area off with timber panelled screens to keep in with the natural environment and filled this whole area with bark.
This type of environment lets the children get excited about science together as a group or independently! There was also a pond added to the area to attract local wildlife for children to study. It allows the children to understand the world around them and see the natural changes that occur throughout the year.
Throughout the KS1 and KS2 playground we added a number of features over a number of years when the funding became available to the school. A Cleopatra Stage with Modular Bench Seating and a Story Area were added to foster the arts and allow children to be creative.
Then a narrow section of earth to the side of a pitch was used to install low level trail equipment with artificial grass surfacing. Along with a rock traverse wall located on the other side of a thermoplastic court with removable netball posts. There was a great range od physical play activities for pupils to engage in.
The school didn’t have many places for their KS1 & 2 pupils to sit and socialise with their peers during break time. There was a wasted embankment area which we were able to set up a number of picnic benches surrounded by large planters to create a more welcoming area for the children to hang out and distress from the classroom.
The use of surfacing throughout a playground is a great way to set out play intentions and provide some guidance for students as well as making it possible to use space that was once left for nature to take hold of. A two colour carpet running track helps children meet their daily mile goal as well as artificial grass used on embankments to make them safe and usable once again. We have also carried out wetpour repairs for the school in the EYFS area bringing a refreshed look to a playground.
Devonshire Road is an amazing example how a bit of creativity and smarting thinking with a phased approach can transform a playground to get the most out of the space and budget available.
- Redeveloped unused space.
- Fitness and Adventure Trail
- Nature Area with Pond
- Cleopatra Stage Area with Seating
- Quiet Storytellers Area
- Outdoor Seating Area
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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