Oxford Grove Primary School
We have had the pleasure of working with the school’s business manager to improve the provision in different playgrounds over a number of years.
About the Project
We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with the school’s business manager to enhance facilities across various playgrounds for several years. We are committed to meticulously crafting and installing a diverse range of play equipment that not only provides abundant play value but also offers unique learning opportunities to every individual child. Our dedication to thoughtful design and implementation ensured the school that each playground would become a dynamic space for fostering both recreation and educational growth among children.
Within the school’s EYFS area they had an existing wetpour surface with an embedded bike track, to which we incorporated additional elements. These enhancements included spinning traffic lights, a draped tunnel, a petrol pump feature, and a village shop panel. The Bike Track offers a fantastic opportunity for children to develop their gross motor skills, maneuvering around on bikes and other modes of transportation, all the while immersing themselves in role-playing scenarios and grasping essential lessons in road safety.
We established a construction zone featuring undulating sleeper retention, bark infill, sand pits interconnected with a pulley system, a functional workbench, and a chalkboard for site planning. This thoughtfully designed space not only promotes fine motor skills development but also encourages interaction, teamwork, and the cultivation of social bonds among the pupils. Engaging with the various elements in this area fosters collaborative learning experiences, as children work together to build, plan, and create, thereby enhancing their overall cognitive and social development.
We removed a deteriorating piece of equipment and devised a tailored play ship, meticulously aligned with the footprint of an existing unit to minimise any impact on the surface. This innovative Play Ship includes three expansive platforms at different elevations, offering step access to the lower deck and a step-up into the second deck featuring a fireman’s pole. To maximise play value, we integrated a traverse wall and chalkboard on the sides, along with a scramble net bridge leading to the rear platform, accessible via a log ramp, with a cozy den area below. The ship is equipped with themed accessories and a decorative sail shade.
Beyond its imaginative design, this Play Ship provides a multitude of benefits for children. Engaging with the various features promotes improvement in balance, strength, and coordination, as children navigate the ship’s diverse elements. Additionally, the presence of challenging elements such as the scramble net bridge encourages the development of risk assessment skills, fostering a sense of adventure and resilience among the young users.
The school’s existing Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) with a 3-meter-high fence sought enhancements, including a recessed goal and a cranked basketball hoop, both customised with the school’s colors. We added three basketball units, each featuring the school’s emblem, fostering a spirited and unique look. These improvements extend beyond aesthetics, promoting a healthy lifestyle by encouraging regular physical activity. The facility also nurtures self-confidence through skill mastery and instills teamwork skills as the children collaborate in sports activities.
Finally we utilised a narrow section of the perimeter grass in the Schools KS1 & 2 playground, to implement a dynamic low-level trail, enhancing the physical play opportunities for children. The trail includes a Traverse Wall, a Wavy Balance Beam, a Tyre Traverse, an Incline Balance Beam, and Step Posts, all thoughtfully placed over grow-through grass matting to create a safe and engaging play environment.
- Construction Zone with Connecting Bucket Pulley System, Work Bench and Site plan Chalkboard, Sandpits, Bark infill and Sign.
- Custom Play Ship Climbing Structure
- Customised Recessed Goal with cranked Basketball Hoop
- Low Level Trail Equipment – Traverse Wall, Wavy Balance Beam, Tyre Travere, Incline Balance Beam and Step Posts.
- Grow Through Grass Matting
- Wetpour Safety Surfacing
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
Similar Projects
