The Customer
Found in the heart of Quarry Bank, Mount Pleasant Primary School has earned itself a special reputation amongst the local school community. From it's ever-evolving curriculum to the inclusive attitude presented by the staff and pupils, it's no surprise why this primary school is making a name for itself within the Dudley borough.
The headteacher, Mrs Claire Grinsell, and her wonderful team of staff are constantly looking for new and exciting ways to craft the perfect learning environment for their students. From this strong desire to deliver a fantastic area for education, Ofsted have even noted how the school "prepare (the students) well for their next stage of education" and help students establish "healthy relationships".
Wanting to know how they could take their school to the next level, the staff at Mount Pleasant Primary started to review the facilities and opportunities offered to pupils. Coming across the outdoor space, it was agreed that the school would focus on redeveloping their playground.
Meeting The Customer
Mrs Kathryn Keay, School Business Manager at Mount Pleasant Primary, was given the task to look for a playground expert that could help the school transform their outdoor space into an area of development and fun. After a school in the Dudley area recommended us (Blowers Green Primary School), Kathryn decided she would start her search with Pentagon Play.
Reading through our glowing 5-star reviews, Kathryn was impressed by the incredible reputation our company had earned over the years. Feeling confident that she had found the perfect company, she headed straight to our website and was immediately wowed by the range of exciting products offered.
From our incredible safety surfacing range to our ever-popular active play range, Kathryn felt like Pentagon Play offered everything Mount Pleasant needed to create the perfect playground. Unsure where to start, she decided to call our offices to ask if she could speak to one of our experts.
After a short wait, Sam Jones (an Outdoor Learning Consultant) was quick to leap into action and called Kathryn back. During this conversation, Sam was always on hand to provide answers to any questions the school had and was happy to make recommendations on how the school could make a truly unique playground.
Kathryn explained how the school wanted to transform two of their play areas: the EYFS playground and the KS1/KS2 play area. Understanding the size of the task, Sam truly believed that Pentagon Play was up to the task of helping this fantastic school upgrade their playground.
Offering a free on-site consultation and visit, Sam went above and beyond to showcase our dedication to forming strong relationships with our clients. Over-the-moon, Kathryn instantly accepted the offer and was excited to work closely with Sam to see what could be done to the playground.
Their Objectives
Throughout the visit, Kathryn explained to Sam how they wanted to repurpose an old area into an active play space. This new area would contain engaging active play equipment that would grab a child's attention and engage them in beneficial active play.
Whilst talking about surfacing, it was made clear that a new safety surface would be required due to the active play equipment being placed on the surface. Kathryn thought that the new surfacing should not only offer impact absorption, but that it should also add a sense of nature and vibrance.
Walking over to the other area, the school showed us their old MUGA for their KS1/KS2. During their discussions, Kathryn expressed a keen interest in replacing the entire MUGA, seeing it as an opportunity for the school to revamp and modernise the space. She envisioned a multi-use games area that would not only accommodate various sports but also provide a safe and engaging environment for children to develop their physical skills.
Our Approach
With all the information and objectives gathered, Sam promptly returned to our Middlewich head office to collaborate with the relevant departments on this exciting project. Regardless of where Kathryn was in her journey with us, Pentagon ensured she was kept informed about any developments or progress.
While most companies might stop there, believing that clear communication is sufficient, Pentagon Play takes a different approach. Our in-house visualisation team creates stunning 3D bespoke images and graphics to illustrate how the finished project will look. The staff at Mount Pleasant were blown away with the variety of graphics we produced, as it allowed everyone to envision the proposed playground.
As Sam provided comprehensive support to Kathryn, our industry-leading manufacturing team began sourcing the highest-quality materials available. With our rigorous quality assurance checks and state-of-the-art construction equipment, it's no wonder Pentagon's quality is unmatched.
Revitalising playgrounds in over 15,000 unique locations, Pentagon Play has earned a 5-star reputation as one of the UK's leading playground equipment manufacturers and designers. Over time, our company has expanded its services to become a one-stop shop for all playground needs. Whether you require an RPII-accredited playground inspection or after care advice, Pentagon Play have got you covered.
Artificial Grass
To infuse their play area with a touch of nature and vibrancy, Mount Pleasant opted for one of our top surfacing choices: Pentagon's Playturf Artificial Grass. Recognising how well it would highlight the new active play area, Kathryn was confident that this surface was the perfect choice.
Playturf not only revitalises any space it's installed in, but it also provides a safe area for children to engage in active play. With it's reinforced fleece backing and densely packed monofilament yarns, Pentagon Play's artificial grass is robust yet soft to the touch.
Woven to high standards and having passed FIFA's stringent durability assessments, schools like Mount Pleasant Primary can have peace of mind knowing their new artificial grass surface is manufactured to endure heavy foot traffic and adverse weather conditions.
After witnessing the final outcome, the school was thrilled with the immediate transformation it brought to the playground's atmosphere. From fostering a more dynamic environment to offering a safe space for children to fully engage in adventurous play, Pentagon's Artificial Grass was a resounding success.
Bow Top Timber Fencing
To assist in the efforts to create an effective active play zone, the school loved the idea of incorporating some fencing around the area. This fencing needed to provide a clear outline of the active play zone, whilst helping the area maintain a sense of nature.
After reviewing our option, Pentagon's Bow Top Timber Fencing was seen as the perfect choice. Aesthetically pleasing and natural looking, this wooden fence is perfect for blending into most playground setting seamlessly.
Not only does it look great, but Bow Top Fencing also helps with effectively structuring playgrounds by creating clear zones for children. Kathryn thought that the idea of zoning was a great way to help to keep the playground organised, whilst maintaining a level of safety within the area.
Like all of our products, this fencing option is made from the most durable materials available in the market. Crafted from high-pressure treated 'play grade' timber, Bow Top Timber Fencing is able to withstand the poorest weather conditions, saving schools money in maintenance costs.
Crinkle Crags Climber
Recognised as one of our biggest and most challenging climbing frames, the Crinkle Crags Climber is a guaranteed way to bring life back to any play area that it's placed on. With it's unique design and multiple entry and exit points, watch as children are drawn in to tackle this adventurous piece of play equipment.
Constructed from high pressure treated 'play grade' timber and steel reinforced ropes, the Crinkle Crags has been built to withstand the most energetic adventurers and the most challenging weather conditions. Mount Pleasant loved this aspect of the play equipment as it meant that they wouldn't have to replace the equipment after a few months.
Schools like Mount Pleasant will want to provide their children with numerous opportunities for development, which the Crinkle Crags does. Featuring a variety of unique challenges, children will develop their overall physical skills, helping them grow with a healthy body and mind.
The fun doesn't stop there. Schools can even make use of the spacious space underneath for den-making, reading and relaxation, making it an incredibly versatile piece of a play equipment. Mount Pleasant loved this aspect as it allowed teachers to create engaging and exciting outdoor lessons.
Bespoke Canopy
Wanting a sheltered area where children can rest and relax, the school decided that they wanted to add one of our most popular outdoor facilities, Pentagon's Bespoke Canopy product. Being bespoke in nature, our team will work closely with schools to ensure that the perfect canopy is placed on your playground.
Measuring 3m x 4m, this bespoke freestanding timber canopy is the perfect solution for all of your free flow needs. Its weathertight construction means that even on rainy days, your children can take shelter in a dry space or even learn outdoors.
Offering this service for over 15 years, our company has perfected the construction process, following every single legal requirement to a tee. Your structure won't only be constructed from incredibly durable materials, but it's designed to meet building regulations approval.
After speaking to Sam and seeing the final product, Kathryn was impressed by the quality and looks of the new bespoke canopy. She loved the addition of our state-of-the-art rainwater system and believed that this seating area would provide a perfect space for children to relax.
MUGA
The final part of the project was transforming their previous MUGA into a vibrant and engaging area for children to explore a variety of different sports. Measuring 48 M², this 4G Sports Surface MUGA offers double the density of the traditional 3G Sports Surface. It's UV stable and non-infill, making it perfect for a variety of sports activities while maintaining a sand-dressed appearance.
Looking to add a touch of nature, Mount Pleasant wanted to add an Artificial Grass Pathway. This 14 M² Playturf Deluxe Artificial Grass pathway would provide a clear direction to children on how they can enter the MUGA. In addition, the pathway would also contrast the tarmac playground, which would help to attract children to the area.
Before laying down the new surface, our team made sure take care of the essentials. Our Removal and Disposal service ensured that the existing artificial grass and steel fencing were cleared away efficiently. Loving how we handled the heavy lifting, the school were grateful that they chose our company to help.
Ground preparation is also key to a successful installation. Our team meticulously prepared the existing subbase, getting it ready for the new artificial grass. This groundwork ensured that the school's new surface had a solid foundation, promising longevity and resilience.
One of the standout features of the playground transformation was the installation of the 92lin.m MUGA Fencing. This durable and long-lasting sport fencing, crafted from heavy-duty, galvanised, and powder-coated steel, stands tall at 3M, making it the perfect enclosure for Multi Use Games Areas. The school loved this aspect as it not only provided a safe and secure environment for children to play sports, but it also brought a sense of liveliness to the area.
The Results
A couple of weeks later, Sam was contacted by Mount Pleasant and was invited to attend the grand opening of the new playground. This ceremony would provide children a first glimpse at their new playground and would even be presented by the Mayor of Dudley herself, Hilary Bills. Excited, Sam and a small team of Pentagonians accepted and made their way to the school.
Arriving at the school, our team were greeted by Kathryn and the staff of Mount Pleasant. Throughout our entire visit, the staff were always on hand to provide us with help and support, making us feel right at home. As we entered the playground, we were greeted by the entire school, waiting on the playground.
After an amazing speech by Mrs Claire Grinsell, the Mayor of Dudley and her husband, the blue ribbon was cut and the children were given the chance to explore the new area. During this time, Sam and the rest of our team took the opportunity to see what people thought of the new area.
Speaking to multiple teachers and members of staff, the general consensus was incredibly positive. Whether it was how aesthetically pleasing the new play area looked or the impressive structures that now existed in the playground, the school felt confident that this new play area would help the school provide more for their students.
A few teachers mentioned the bespoke canopy and how it provided a variety of opportunities for the children. From outdoor learning to a quiet space, the bespoke canopy was a welcomed addition to the area.
Everyone here at Pentagon Play is over-the-moon to hear about the impact the new playground is having and we hope that Mount Pleasant Primary continues to help the next generation develop healthy behaviours and benefits on their new play equipment.
