Case study: FRODSHAM WEAVER VALE Primary School
- Kerry Jarvis, Head Teacher

So much to do for
Frodsham Weaver Vale children!

BACKGROUND

“Before, it was just boring” says Harry from the School Council. “There was nothing to do apart from play football on the bottom playground”, adds Lauren, also from Year 5.

Soon after she arrived in September 2009, Kerry Jarvis, Head Teacher at Frodsham Weaver Vale Primary School noticed the lack of enthusiasm with which the children went out to play times. The children requested a School Council meeting to be able to voice their issues. The feedback was quickly taken on board and acted upon: the School Council would meet monthly with the Head, along with 2 Governors. Children were actively encouraged to collate feedback on any topic whatsoever from their peers within each Year group, in advance of the School Council meetings.

Very soon, the picture was clear, but rather bleak. Across all the year groups, the children were requesting something to do during break times. Most of them were, and still are, very much into football, and there was only one pitch to play on. This caused a lot of arguments and frustration because all the children could obviously not play at once.

“Before, everyone was on the bottom playground playing football, or trying to play football!!” adds Alex, Chair of the School Council and Year 5 pupil. Miss Jarvis decided to set the children a playground project: How could we improve our Playground?

IMPROVING OUTDOOR PLAY

Once the results were in, it was clear there was a definite desire for some activities other than football to be available. Pentagon struck up a good rapport with the children from the School Council and came back with some exciting and ambitious plans for new playground equipment. Miss Jarvis told us the children really put Michael through his paces! They avidly questioned him on various aspects of the project and added their own final touches to colour ways for the path and stage area safety surfacing.

Pentagon had proposed an Outdoor Classroom for the teachers to use to deliver the curriculum in, as well as for the parents to shelter in at pick-up time. The children now make use of it during play times as well, when they just want to sit and interact socially with their friends. A Pirate Ship became the focus of the ‘top’ playground where children could climb and jump as well as role-play, whatever their ages. A small performance area, covered with Saferturf in school colours, was added in the middle playground. This is used for presentations when the weather allows, as well as during breaks. “The children love putting on shows for one another!” comments Miss Jarvis. Other playground activities included some music-making panels which are extremely popular and help with the children’s sensory development and knowledge of music.

STIMULATION AND INSPIRATION

In order to tackle the football pitch, Pentagon suggested halving the existing pitch into 2 and adding 4 goal ends so that 4 teams were able to play on smaller pitches. This works brilliantly now, with all the children getting a turn to be Mr Rooney! The slam dunk ball shoot was placed nearby for children who enjoy physical play and is fantastic for improving their manipulation and control skills. Another area of the playground which was not used at all was converted into a challenging climbing wall for those wishing to take measured risks and get an upper-body work out as well.

Mr. Goodier-Page, Governor, commented, “It’s lovely that the play equipment is visible and on show, rather than shoved round the corner as an after-thought. Also, the teaching staff now has the luxury of spontaneity to pop out for a lesson, without all the usual effort.”

Pentagon prides itself on offering a consultative approach, working with schools to maximise the potential of their grounds. Our aim is to create outdoor playground equipment areas to stimulate imaginations and provide inspiration. And this is exactly what has happened in this case between the School Council and Pentagon.

GOING FORWARD

Miss Jarvis said that it has made such a difference to the well-being of the children and to their behaviour – they have more space to do different things, space for reflexion and quiet time, but also space for the big physical activities.