Case study: Acton Primary School – Mrs Dolman, Teacher

Fabulous new playground equipment delights Acton Primary pupils!

BACKGROUND

Back in the summer of 2010, Mrs. Dolman, the headteacher from Acton CE Primary School and the School Council members felt the school needed to revamp the playground. The playground had become tired and was in desperate need of updating. The school had a sum of money to spend in order tomake the area more exciting for the children whilst ensuring that the new playground was in keeping with the beautiful, natural surroundings of the school.

Pentagon and a number of other companies were given ideas by Mrs. Dolman and the School Council on which they were to plan a design. Pentagon came for a free visit and design consultation to discuss the options for the development of the school play area. After a meeting held by the School Council, a decision was made to proceed with the design submitted by Pentagon. The design was based around creating different areas to accommodate the different personalities at the school.

A NEW START

To start, the playground needed all the old timber picnic tables, play house and planters removing. The football pitch remained with the addition of timber ball walls to give a designated area for ball games. An amphitheatre was built with a Saferturf stage to encourage the children to develop their performance skills and promote co-operative play. It was also to be used for parents watching school sports and for waiting for children at the end of the day.

The play area for the smaller children with bikes and trikes had a wetpour rubber safety surface installed. This covered the badly worn tarmac and took out any trip hazards and undulations giving a nice safe, level surface to ride the bikes. The design incorporated a roadway with pedestrian crossing to help create a town atmosphere and improve the children’s knowledge of road safety.

In the Infant play area a 6m gazebo was installed, the school successfully applied for planning permission with the help of Pentagon. The gazebo was a vital part of the playground development, this would create an outdoor classroom that could be used in all weather conditions whilst also providing a covered space for parents to use when dropping off and collecting the children. Mrs. Dolman said “The outdoor classroom is fantastic, the children get a lot of use out of it especially with the winter weather, it gives them a nice quiet area to go and socialise, play quiet games or read a book.”

COLLABORATION

The school was very pleased with the activity panels; they now have 3 musical panels and 3 mark making panels that offer interactive corners for the children to be creative and learn through play.

The playground design by Pentagon was chosen in preference to the designs provided by other companies as the quality of products and the level of customer service provided were of the highest calibre. The timber products have kept the playground in keeping with the rural background of the village and community, whilst the brightly coloured surfacing, play panels and recycled picnic tables have made the area safer and more stimulating for the children.