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St. Michael’s Primary School

We have provided St. Michael’s with outdoor play elements for all ages, from Nursery to Juniors.

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About the Project

Over the years, we have undertaken numerous projects for St. Michael’s Primary School, witnessing the transformation of their outdoor space into a dynamic environment that significantly enhances the curriculum offerings for their students.

The teachers at St Michael’s Primary School explained that they had wasted, unused space across a number of their playgrounds which they wanted to try utilise. With that we helped gain additional outdoor space by taking back some of the overgrown areas, nature had took hold of and also made areas safe and accessible all year round.

The teachers at St. Michael’s Primary School expressed their concern about underutilised spaces scattered across several playgrounds. Desiring to optimize these areas, we collaborated to reclaim additional outdoor space by addressing overgrown sections that nature had claimed. Moreover, we ensured safety and all year round accessibility throughout by making necessary improvements. In our efforts to enhance safety and accessibility in the area, we conducted essential groundwork and installed artificial grass. This not only ensured a secure environment but also established a welcoming and adaptable play space.

We seamlessly integrated bonded rubber mulch onto the grass, creating a designated play area that incorporates a tire park which offers a unique and engaging space for physical play. We incorporated various Adventure Trail which plays a crucial role in supporting the children’s physical development by enhancing their balance, strength, and coordination.

We also decided to introduce our Tigris Play Structure and Traverse Wall, both uniquely branded for the school. These installations serve as both recreational elements and tools for improving the children’s gross motor skills. The nature of the components contributes to a comprehensive play environment, fostering the overall physical development of the pupils. As well as this we designed a compact custom designed Castle Play Structure, installed in front of the school annex to accommodate the newly established nursery facilities.

We created a sizable timber playhouse tailored to the school’s specifications. This standard design includes a bench seat, offering a tranquil area for quiet activities or serving as a space for imaginative play. Additionally, we incorporated another large timber playhouse with a stage, promoting performance and role-play opportunities. To further enhance skill development, we introduced den-making posts, fostering problem-solving abilities, communication, and teamwork among the children.

Continuing in the spacious EYFS area we installed bow top fencing and colorful graphic wetpour rubber. We chose our Zambi climbing structure made from treated timber, HDPE panels, and steel with rope elements, along with a crawl-through tunnel featuring a Perspex window to allow imaginative play as they go on their adventure hiding from the monsters outside. We added in Role-play equipment such as shop panels, a corner shop playhouse, and a play hut enrich the play experience.

We introduced a vibrant Messy Play Area to stimulate children’s imaginations and enhance fine motor skills. The Mud Kitchen, equipped with scales, Mud Table, Chalk Board, Stepping Stones, and Mud Store, encourages independent and collaborative play, fostering vocabulary development as children explain their processes. The area features landscape log retention, bark infill, and customised elements such as decorative signs.

We also incorporated a Sand Play element to encourage storytelling and vocabulary expansion. The possibilities are endless as it allows ‘child-led’ play. We add in a landscape log retention, sand infill, platforms, Mushroom Table & Chairs, stainless steel sand bowl, transporter and wheel, and decorative boulders providing a rich play experience.

We repurposed an unused embankment space, adding a large Embankment Slide with artificial grass for year-round access. The stainless steel slide descends from a custom-designed platform, and diverse access points, including a ramp with rocks, logs, a pull-up rope, and step posts, offer children an exciting mix of challenges as they explore the play structure.

Diverging from physical play, we created a tranquil space for reflection and relaxation for children. This French-themed seating area, featuring a decorative archway, custom-built planters with simple seats, and A-frame picnic tables, offers a serene retreat. We added in Pergola surrounded by planters and bench seating to create a natural vibrant environment. These types of areas provided children with a place to step away from the bustling playground, fostering opportunities for reading, communication, and socialising with peers while alleviating stress.

In addition, we established an Outdoor Classroom, providing a distinctive and natural learning environment that enhances the well-being of both children and teachers. To cater to parents, we added a waiting shelter with bench seating, ensuring a comfortable space for them as well.

We collaborated on enhancing an existing nature area situated in the wooded section adjacent to the playground. Our focus was on creating a recycled plastic walkway encircling an established pond. The utilisation of recycled plastic not only prolongs the lifespan of the walkway in damp and wet conditions but also imparts valuable lessons to the children about the significance of recycling.

 

  • Trail Equipment
  • Embankment Slide
  • Socialising Area
  • Bike Track and Playhouses
  • Friendship Shelter
  • Multiplay Unit
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“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.”

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Alison Cheetham, EYFS Lead
Higher Lane Primary School
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