Case study: Mottram St Andrew Primary School – Mrs Bowen, Bursar

Children enjoy more time outdoors at Mottram St Andrew Primary School

BACKGROUND

There is a tangible buzz around Mottram St Andrew Primary School, Cheshire, thanks to the tireless work and effort of the PTA. The funds they have raised from their Winter and Summer Fairs have contributed a large amount of the developments which can be seen around the outside of the school.

There is now a lovely play cabin in one corner of the playground, which children can play in as well as providing storage for their toys and outdoor resources such as skipping ropes/stilts/hoops/trikes. The versatility of the cabin means that rather than having to bring all the outdoor toys into a classroom every afternoon, they can be stored and locked away in the cabin. Equally, during playtimes, once the toys are out and being used, children play inside it and use the counter as a shop/ticket desk. This week the play cabin was transformed into the Three Bears’ Cottage and a little table and bowls were laid out inside it. Mrs Woolley explained, “Our portable outdoor resources were becoming increasingly grubby and so was the classroom we were storing them in! We needed to provide some alternative; some form of secure storage to ensure our equipment was in useable condition and had the longest service life. The cabin is brilliant because the children can choose their own resources, which is ideal for child-initiated learning.”

A NEW START

In Reception, where play is still such a huge part of learning, it was important for the school to improve the provision by extending learning to outside the classroom. A suitable covered environment needed to be created. So when Michael, one of the directors at Pentagon, visited the school, he proposed a timber canopy along the full length of the classroom so that the sand pit, water table and other toys could be kept under cover all year round. This canopy would also double-up as a parent waiting shelter rather than waiting in the rain to collect their children.

THE PROJECT

Over in the field, the school had an existing trim trail which was old and tired; some of the equipment was damaged and out of service. “Our existing trim trail was dated and the children did not find it engaging anymore” commented Mrs Woolley. “Our School Council was consulted and they chose the supplementary equipment in line with the budget, and even decided where it should go”. The addition of 3 new trail items and the repairs on the old kit has given it a new lease of life!! The children are out there as soon as the bell rings!”. The new equipment is more challenging and will promote measured risk-taking for KS2 children – that is the attraction.

COLLABORATION

Overall, whether it is in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2, the children at Mottram Primary School are enjoying more time outdoors in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. The Head Teacher added, “We wanted to deal with a local company first and foremost, so when Michael came for the initial consultation and made his suggestions, we were immediately impressed. He understood what we needed and gave us educational value as well addressing our practical needs.”