Lever Edge Primary Academy

About the Project

We have had the pleasure of carrying out multiple projects for Lever Edge Primary school over the years. The school wanted to utilise every part of their outdoor space to enhance the provision of the curriculum.

The school felt they needed to encourage more physical activity for their KS1 & 2 pupils especially those who were more reluctant. We decided to update their running track to be more dynamic and thrilling by turning this into an agility track. It included a combination of our Adventure Trail items, to create more obstacles and challenges for the children to tackle. These elements will help the pupils improve their strength, coordination, confidence and encourage them to have the determination to succeed.

Tennis Ball walls and gym equipment have also been installed throughout the playgrounds to help improve the physical play provision.

Another way to spark the children’s imagination was by installing our Junior Play Ship which gave the KS1 & 2 children a place to engage in imaginative play, build on their language and gross motor skills. We created a more bespoke design by lowering certain platforms to be more suitable for the KS1 pupils. This way all of the children could unleash their imagination on this Play Ship.

The school loved the idea of an area where children can explore and understand the natural world around them. We thought what better than an Allotment, for the children to explore their senses whilst working on improving their fine motor skills. In this area children can plant their own plants, flowers and vegetables and it is also an area where they can take time away from the hustle and bustle of the playground.

In a quiet are between the various wings of the school, we created an outdoor literacy classroom. we made use of the surrounding school walls by adding interactive play panels and mark making boards to encourage sensory, creative, mental stimulation as well as developing written and oral literacy skills. They also create opportunities for social interaction between peers so then can learn from each other.

For their EYFS play areas they wanted unique spaces for the children to grow, develop, socialise and build on their cognitive skills in an outdoor setting, away from the classroom.

There were many different existing and natural features which we chose to work with instead of against in many of the different spaces. For example there was the very first iteration of our tree village which utilised the natural trees on the playground to create a raised platform around the trees with various different play elements. For example, simple steps would take you up to the first platform with a slightly more challenging clatter bridge taking you cross to the next. The raised timber decks are a place for children to play and socialise in, with a pergola frame with seating providing a quieter space for children to escape to on the playground.

We have also used a number of the naturally sloped embankments by installing stainless steels slides with platforms, sensory and interactive play panels and varying different ramps with rocks and logs. In some areas we even used the embankments next to the traditional steps leading to the playgrounds to add additional fun and development opportunities in the form of a log ramp instead.

In what was once just a planting area, we adapted the space to incorporate a Messy Play area where the children can continue to get grubby and develop their fine motor skills whilst building confidence through role play and collaboration.

A Story Tellers area, including a Story Tellers Chair and Mushroom Seats, within a unique woodland area creates the ultimate place for children to be creative and learn in a stimulating environment. Children can improve on their language skills by reading out loud and performing to their peers.

We also incorporated one of our best sellers our Water Wall where children can build on their fine motor skills and allows them to investigate and understand how water feels and moves as it travels up the water pumps and flows down the interchangeable chutes. This Water Wall provides hours of rich and valuable early childhood experiences to develop their imagination and creativity.

Lever Edge Primary Academy has been a long standing client who we have enjoyed working along side to consistently develop their provision for their students. From small tweaks to keep things fresh, to totally new spaces being created to bring more life to an already engaging and dynamic play provision.

• Agility Track
• Junior Play Ship
• Water Play and Table
• Allotment Area
• Play Panels and Marking Boards