Little Thurrock Primary School
We turned an old and tired embankment area, into a fun and stimulating play space.
About the Project
We were recommended to Little Thurrock, by Bonnygate Primary School who we had worked with before on two other EYFS play spaces. They were very happy with the work we supplied and our innovative design approach which was much needed when embarking on the redevelopment of Little Thurrock. With a tired embankment area, surrounded by unused planters and a humdrum race track, which had little play value and failed to engage pupils. We were able to transform this entire area into a physical yet imaginative play space for the children to enjoy once again.
We began with a creative custom design which would utilise the space upon the embankment. We made use of the existing slope and retention by building a Castle themed climbing structure which incorporated a slide and rock wall for the children to enjoy physical and, imaginative play. With language skills being developed through storytelling and as they peer through loopholes and climb the castle walls.
Adjacent to the Castle Climbing Structure we installed a Construction Area for the children to role play and improve on their fine motor skills. This included a Builders Yard to store materials, Bucket with Pully system to transport items, Chalk Board to plan out the days tasks and Work Bench for children to craft on.
We installed our popular EYFS low level Galloway Clamber Stack, which provides a more natural play environment for the children to clamber through, improving on their balance, strength and coordination. Our Clamber stacks fit well in any natural play environment and the free form, non-descript design means the children’s imagination can run wild, being a ship one day or a mountain to climb the next.
The existing track at the school was uninspiring and was rarely used. We transformed this into a Bike Track which would encourage imaginative play, as the children travel around on their bikes or scooters and interact with the zebra crossings, ramp and traffic lights. Mixing up the surfacing also added more sensory stimulation with different surface textures such as blister paving, block paving and cobbles.
A Den Making Area with an imitation fire pit, provides a space for imaginative Play, team building exercises and self-esteem building. Our Den Making Areas come with a Den Making Kits which include Natural Manilla Rope, Camouflaged Net and a Tarpaulin sheet to create a Den Structure, a perfect way for children to get creative and work on problem solving skills.
When working on these types of areas which are often seen as tricky and unsafe, it’s important to get creative so that we can maximise the school’s budget and provide a solution with the most play value possible. In this case we used lots of the existing landscape elements and added to them to bring the area to life again. We used timber to create a natural castle theme play environment and by using bonded rubber mulch surfacing to further strengthen the theme with a blue ‘moat’ it allows for the area to be used all year round. Although daunting at first, this project was a great challenge for the design team and the end product was quite the dramatic improvement which the school still love today!
- Construction Area
- Galloway Clamber Stack, perfect for an EYFS playground
- Bike Track
- Den Making 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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