activity & play
Rejuvenating outdoor play spaces
O
XFORD Gardens Primary School in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, serves a dense inner
city area, with few opportunities for its 440 pupils to access outdoor spaces. When the school embarked upon a
Embedding nature in the play
environment
A
reception children. Forming an important part of the
foundation stage curriculum, the area incorporates planting beds where the children can grow their own vegetables and flowers, along with play elements such as a tunnel, play garage and painted river. There are areas where they can create their own dens, a pergola threaded with grape vines, a fruit tree and a sensory garden. The school used its own funds and a government grant aimed at developing educational facilities for foundation stage youngsters, to pay for the revamped £24,000 scheme, which was undertaken by natural play company Admiral Play. Children and staff at the school wanted to create as many different play options as possible in the relatively small space. The finished result aims to help develop creativity and imagination as well as promoting physical wellbeing. Importantly, by planting and utilising natural timber materials, there will be the satisfaction of watching the space evolve and grow over time.
www.admiralplay.co.uk
58 edbmagazine.co.uk
grounds redevelopment, with Devolved Formula Capital funding, a key goal was to provide an exciting and fun outdoor play space, where pupils could benefit from the fresh air and enjoyable play breaks with their friends. “Our previous play area lacked inspiration,” head teacher Sarah Cooper explains. “It was an old dark courtyard with play equipment that had not withstood the test of time at all. “Our vision was a refreshed area that not
NATURE-inspired workspace has been created at St Teresa’s School in Dagenham for its nursery and
only provided a variety of challenging and rewarding experiences for our pupils, but one that promoted social interaction, motor skills development and imaginative play.”
Sea and sand
Partnering with school grounds company Playforce, the outdoor space was rejuvenated over a two week period between term times. A Treasure Island theme was created using brightly coloured wetpour surfacing in blue and yellow to mimic the sea and sand. The
wetpour system provides a porous and durable surface, whilst being a safe and practical option for play. The new amenity incorporates high and low climbing areas and areas within which to swing. Sustainable design features make use of materials such as FSC-certified timber. The primary school aims to develop its school grounds further, with plans for an outdoor classroom that teaches them
the refreshed area will promote social interaction and imaginative play
about the environment and a sustainable future. “We hope to install a nature garden that not only boasts colourful plants and flowers but also a planting area for children to contribute and to witness the growth of an ecosystem,” Sarah Cooper adds.
www.playforce.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100