The Customer
Aldrington CE Primary School located in Hove, East Sussex is an active school that believes physical exercise is vital to pupils emotional and creative development and health. School staff wanted to create a stimulating KS1 outdoor space that would embed healthy playtime routines.
Their Objectives
The school wanted to resolve a drainage issue where water was pooling in a section of the playground. The existing surfacing was no longer fit for purpose and it would be hugely beneficial if pupils could use the new playground in all conditions across the school year.
The new outdoor space needed to include a range of physical challenges for children of all abilities as well as offering plenty of free open space for explorative and imaginative play.
Our Approach
Our expert Playground Consultant, Paul Speller knew exactly how to advise Aldrington Primary to create a truly superb space.
The first stage of the project involved the installation of a new drainage system to help prevent pooling which had previously caused problems. It was then time for the new all-weather Artificial Grass Playturf to be installed which made a big difference to the appearance of the space. Pupils now have a large, durable place to play which not only provides comfort but will stand the test of time. Shockpad foam tiles have been added as an extra safety measure underneath playturf to provide ultimate protection when climbing.
The focal point of the new playground is the completely bespoke Triple Tower Climber. This piece was designed to meet the needs of pupils at Aldrington Primary and it is clear to see from their joyous faces that children are having so much fun.
There are many obstacles to conquer from the suspension bridge to the climbing ramp. Standing on the elevated deck allows pupils to view their whole playground through the bubble windows before setting off down the slide or firefighter’s pole.
To allow for plenty of pupils to develop essential gross motor skills an additional climber was also chosen. The Bowfell Climber with Platform and Climbing Net encourages social interaction as children practise turn taking and effective communication and cooperation. Upper and lower body strength is developed as children tackle the climbing nets and wall, creating their own routes with which they are comfortable. A bright splash of Blue Wetpour surfacing underneath this piece provides a contrast and a great prop for various games and stories.
The final active piece which the school invested in was our Get Set, Go! Blocks – The Mendips Set. The set features 12 blocks of different shapes and sizes which can be moved by groups of children or adults creating fresh, interesting obstacle courses on a daily basis. Pupils can practise balancing, jumping and sliding and also learn many valuable skills such as teamwork, patience and perseverance.
When pupils need to withdraw from active play, they can take a break in the Wigwam! The perfect spot for some downtime and a wonderful open-ended resource for imaginative games.
The Results
The new playspace helps to promote physical activity throughout the day at Aldrington CE Primary. Increased movement has helped to improve children’s cognitive function, focus and well-being. Making full use of the new space helps pupils to regain focus and attention in lessons and the school take every opportunity to utilise their inspiring playground of adventure.
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Or, browse our Active Play Towers and Climbers to get more inspiration!