Starbank School
About the Project
Starbank School wanted to transform its EYFS outdoor provision, creating a more purposeful and engaging play environment within a challenging existing space.
The original playground was relatively compact and included two large ramps, existing structures, numerous manhole covers and several awkward areas that needed to be incorporated into the new design. Importantly, the playground also needed to remain a functional access route to the older children’s playgrounds and accommodate a busy parent route through the site.
Alongside the EYFS development, the wider project included new thermoplastic playground markings and ball walls across the KS1 and KS2 playgrounds, helping to introduce additional opportunities for both structured and informal active play.
The Customer and Objectives
The aim for the EYFS playground was to create a clean, welcoming and robust outdoor environment offering a varied mix of play experiences, both covered and in the open.
The school wanted to incorporate opportunities for gross motor development alongside familiar EYFS activities including sand and water play, mark making, sensory play and cycling. A new dividing fence was also required, with materials and finishes selected to withstand the demands of a busy school environment.
It was equally important that the design made effective use of the available space without compromising the existing access routes through the playground.
Within the KS1 and KS2 areas, the objective was to introduce sports and active-play facilities at different scales. Smaller activity zones needed to provide opportunities for everyday play while leaving the wider playground accessible to other children, alongside a larger, more traditional sports pitch suitable for PE lessons and organised games.
Our Approach
Working alongside the design and consultancy team involved in the wider school project, Playground Imagineering developed the scheme collaboratively with all parties to arrive at a design that worked for both the school and the existing site.
The unusual layout of the EYFS playground meant careful consideration had to be given to levels, existing ramps, drainage, access routes and the numerous existing features within the space.
Rather than allowing these constraints to dictate the playground, we worked around them to create clearly defined areas of play and make effective use of previously awkward spaces.
The final design combines fixed play equipment, sensory and creative activities, surfacing, covered provision and open-ended play opportunities, while maintaining the important circulation route through the playground.
Feedback and Impact
The completed playground has transformed what was previously a challenging and restricted outdoor area into a much more purposeful EYFS environment.
Children now have access to a wider variety of activities within one cohesive space, with opportunities for physical development, imaginative play, sensory exploration, creativity, cycling, sand and water play. The addition of the covered area also means part of the playground can continue to support outdoor learning and play in less favourable weather.
Careful zoning allows these different activities to sit alongside the essential access route through the playground, ensuring the space continues to work practically for the school throughout the day.
Across the KS1 and KS2 playgrounds, the new sports features and markings have introduced additional ways for children to be active without dedicating the entire playground to one activity. Smaller-scale games can take place alongside general play, while the larger pitch provides a more structured space for PE and organised sport.
Overall, the project has created a more engaging and versatile outdoor environment across the school, with durable features designed to support everyday use by children of different ages.
Key Features
- Covered outdoor play area
- Wetpour surfacing with bike roadway
- Sand and water play
- Climbing and gross motor activities
- Sensory and mark-making panels
- New dividing fence and gate
- Thermoplastic playground markings and games
- Ball walls and goal ends
- Multi-use sports pitch
“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.”
Alison Cheetham, EYFS Lead
Higher Lane Primary School
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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