The Customer
Nestled away in the Northumberland countryside, Ponteland Community Primary School has become well-recognised for being one of the best schools in the local area. From winning multiple awards to achieving fantastic results during exam season, Mr Carl Corrin-Johnson (the headteacher) and his amazing team have truly created a one-of-a-kind school.
Not only do Ofsted believe that "this is a caring and inclusive school", but multiple parents have praised almost every aspect of the school. From how effective academic knowledge is taught to the variety of extracurricular activities available to pupils, it's no surprise that the school helps children acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to easily transition to higher education.
Wanting to maintain their positive reputation, Ponteland school was looking for ways to improve their facility and offer more to their pupils. One area that was highlighted by them was their play area. The school had a strong desire to improve their play equipment and try to encourage children to engage in active play more effectively. From this desire, the quest began to find the equipment that could bring life back to their play area...
Meeting the Customer
Carl Corrin-Johnson, the headteacher and accounting officer for this academy converter, made contact with us in 2023. Whilst doing some research online, he came across the Pentagon Play website and the numerous amount of 5-star reviews left by other primary schools and settings.
After reading a few, Carl decided to visit the website and view our immense range of active play equipment. Whilst looking through the range, he decided to call our friendly and knowledgeable sales team to acquire more information on certain products and explain what the school was looking for.
Tracey Lea, a member of our sales team, took time to explain to Carl how our range has redefined the meaning of active play and how each item can achieve different goals and objectives. After hearing a few of the options, Carl felt confident that a Pentagon Play Forest Circuit was the right option for the school.
Once the phone call had finished, Tracey and Carl organised a date where one of our expert Outdoor Play Consultants, Greg Gavin, could visit the school for a complimentary site visit. These visit play a vital role in our process as they give our customers the chance to not only communicate their desires and ideas, but to visualise the project with an industry expert.
Their Objectives
Throughout the meeting, it was made clear that Carl wanted this new forest circuit to encourage his pupils to engage in active play and showcase how exercising can be fun. By establishing a healthy relationship with exercise, Carl hopes that when his pupils transition to high school and beyond, they'll be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Another point that was made is how Carl wanted equipment that was high-quality and had a long lifespan. As the school was working from a strict budget, it was vital that the equipment was a worthwhile investment and wouldn't require any replacements or repairs after months of use.
Alongside the forest circuit, Greg and Carl thought that some freestanding active play equipment would be a great idea. Not only would it help to add more opportunities for active play, but the freestanding equipment would allow children to create their own obstacle courses, developing their problem solving skills and imaginations.
Finally, Carl really wanted the new play equipment to bring life back to the playground. Not only should this playground equipment encourage play, but it should look great too. Having expertly designed playground equipment will help to catch children's attention and naturally endear them to the area.
Our Approach
Once Greg had all the information that he needed, he returned back to our north office and reconvened with all the necessary departments. Throughout the waiting stage, Carl was constantly kept up-to-date with any developments or information regarding the exciting project.
Alongside this, our visualisation team created numerous 3D graphics for the project, helping Carl see the impact of the playground equipment before it was even installed. Like most of our customers, Carl loved this aspect of the customer journey as he felt like we went beyond and above to help him feel confident with his choice.
Our industry-leading manufacturing team got straight to work creating the necessary pieces for the installation team to use. From using the best manufacturing equipment the industry has to offer to carefully inspecting each piece during our quality assurance checks, our manufacturing process is second to none.
Helping over 500,000 children a year enjoy playtime, Pentagon Play have become one of the UK's leading playground equipment experts. We've helped everyone from primary schools to commercial setting create their dream playground. When you work with us, you're not working with any ordinary playground equipment company; you're working with a company that has over 25 years worth of experience and knowledge.
The journey with Pentagon Play doesn't have to end there either! Our aftercare team are always on hand to answer any questions or queries relating to your product and offering year-round support for you. Alongside this, our Inspections and Maintenance service can help to keep your playground in tip-top condition as our RPII-accredited inspectors will work closely with you to ensure that your playground meets all safety requirements.
Grizedale Forest Circuit
Containing a variety of physical challenges, the Grizedale Forest Circuit has become a firm favourite amongst our Pentagon Play customers. With a unique look and a total area of 44m², this piece of play equipment is sure to grab the attention of any children who lay the eyes on it.
Crafted from high-pressure treated 'play grade' timber and steel-reinforced nylon ropes, the Grizedale Forest Circuit can withstand heavy usage and poor weather conditions without showing signs of wear and tear. Having a long lifespan, Ponteland Community Primary School loved the concept of this piece of equipment lasting for generations to come.
With such a unique design, not only will children naturally engage in active play, but they will also escape into their imaginations and explore new worlds in the confines of your play area. From exploring ancient temples to escaping a castle, children will engage in imaginative play and have more fun with this piece of active play equipment.
Carl was hugely impressed by the instant impact this trim trail product brought to the school. More children were starting to utilise the once forgotten space and were developing beneficial behaviours and attitudes towards exercise! Due to the low fall height too, the school didn't have to worry about purchasing safety surfacing, saving them even more money.
Get Set, Go! Blocks - The Mendips Set
Being one of our more advanced sets, the Get Set, Go! Blocks - The Mendips Set contains 12 freestanding blocks that can be arranged in numerous ways to create an exciting an engaging active play session. Watch as children manoeuvre the blocks around your play space as they bring to life their ideas and creations.
Constructed from Stokbord and having a layer of artificial grass placed on top, these blocks are built with a long lifespan in mind and can even withstand heavy usage and poor weather conditions. Wanting to invest in long lasting products, Carl was over-the-moon to hear about the durability regarding this product.
The beautiful thing about freestanding play equipment is how it can easily be stored away to create a more open space on your playground. Not only this, but schools who use freestanding play equipment (like Ponteland Community School) don't have to worry about installations or groundwork being carried out, saving valuable money and time.
Designed by a team of expert designers, Get Set, Go! Blocks can suit any environment they are placed in, meaning they'll always find a place on your playground, no matter the design. As the school was looking into the idea of expanding their playground in the future, they loved how adaptable this set is.
The Results
After a few months had passed by, we contacted Ponteland Community Primary School to organise a day for some of our staff to visit the new play area and see what kind of impact is was making on the pupils' lives. Carl and his team were more than happier for us to pop by and view the completed project.
When we arrived, we were greeted by Carl and a few friendly staff members and shown to the playground. As we entered, we were blown away to see how busy the area was now compared to how it used to be. From huge groups of children tackling the forest circuit to other children completing their own obstacle courses with the blocks, it was an amazing sight to see.
Carl told us how the new equipment had successfully got children engaging in active play and adapting to more healthy life styles. Not only this, but the equipment had demonstrated is quality by withstanding some of the harshest weather that has been seen in years!
We here at Pentagon Play are grateful to Ponteland Community Primary School for trusting us with such a big project and we wish nothing but the absolute best for your entire school. We hope to work with you again in the near future!
