The Customer
Located on the outskirts of Nottingham, Hollywell Primary School provides the children of Kimberley (and surrounding areas) with a fantastic level of education and provides all the necessary resources for children to develop in a safe and caring environment.
Maintaining the 'Gold Sports Mark' accolade since 2014, Mrs Ellis and her amazing team of staff have constantly striven to create a school environment that children not only accel in academics, but also enjoy their time with this primary school. Ofsted even took note of how "pupils love attending this school" and how pupils "are keen to learn and appreciate how their teachers make every lesson enjoyable".
With such a positive learning environment established, the school started to shift their focus to the playground and how it could be enhanced to provide more fun and engaging challenges to help keep the children active.
Meeting the Customer
Mrs Petts, the office manager for this primary school, first contacted Pentagon Play in March of 2023. As she was browsing online for playground development specialists, she came across Pentagon Play. After reading a plethora of 5-star reviews left by other primary schools, she believed that she had found the perfect company to help Hollywell Primary School.
Whilst on the website, Mrs Petts started looking through our entire catalogue of playground equipment and service. From our active play range to our safety surfacing, she was amazed by how innovative and unique our equipment is and how high-quality our surfacing options are.
Once she had finished browsing, she instantly made an enquiry with our personable sales team. Tracey Lea, a member of our sales team, was quick to respond to Mrs Petts and offered a phone call appointment to discuss the enquiry further. Without hesitation, Mrs Petts eagerly accepted and explained thoroughly the vision for the project.
Near the end of the phone call, Tracey and Mrs Petts organised a date where one of our expert Outdoor Play Consultants, Daniel Young, could visit the primary school for a free consultation and site visit. Site visits play an important role in our process as they not only allow the customer to give real-time feedback to ideas and objectives, but they also present a valuable opportunity to visualise the project with an industry expert.
Their Objectives
As Daniel and Sallyann Petts were touring the playground, it was made evidently clear that the school wanted to redevelop their play area and create a more engaging and vibrant play space. Sallyann showed Daniel some of the aged play equipment and surfacing and explained how the school wanted to replace all of it.
As the site visit continued, Sallyann told Daniel how impressed she was with the variety of play equipment offered by Pentagon Play and was interested in establishing zones within the playground. She wanted zones to provide an area for children to engage in specific areas of play, from performance play to active play.
Finally, it was brought to Daniel's attention that Hollywell Primary School wanted to make the play area feel more natural and open, rather than a space covered in dull tarmac. As the conversation continued, Sallyann revealed that she liked the idea of incorporating artificial grass in the area to create a more natural environment. For the spaces that would remain tarmac, Mrs Petts thought that our bright and creative thermoplastic markings would make a fantastic addition to the project.
Our Approach
When Daniel had got all the information that he needed, he thanked Sallyann for the time and returned straight back to our north office to reconvene with the relevant departments. Whilst Sallyann and the school were waiting for the project to begin, she was constantly kept up-to-date with relevant information and developments regarding this huge project.
Alongside the regular updates, our visualisation team created a handful of 3D designs for the project, helping Mrs Petts and the staff see the impact the equipment and surfacing would have on the school, before anything was done. Like the majority of our customers, Sallyann loved this unique aspect of the Pentagon Play customer journey as it helped the staff feel confident in their choices and valued by our company.
The manufacturing team at Pentagon Play have years of experience in gathering the highest-quality materials to craft the necessary pieces for the installation process. From the state-of-the-art equipment used to cut the wood to thorough and professional quality assurance checks, there's a reason why our manufacturing process is recognised by industry experts as one of the best.
Having over 25 years worth of experience in the playground industry, you're not only getting access to innovative playground equipment and safety surfacing, but you're also getting access to valuable knowledge. Helping thousands of primary schools across England, Wales and Scotland, we have a strong understanding in what makes a playground so engaging.
Even when the installation process is finished, that doesn't mean your journey with Pentagon Play has to end. Whether you need advice from our aftercare team or are looking for a RCII-accredited playground inspector from our playground inspections and maintenance service, Pentagon Play has become the one-stop shop for all of your playground needs.
Playturf Resurfacing Project
Starting the project, our team started to get to work by laying down one of our most popular surfacing types in primary schools, Playturf Artificial Grass. Woven with high-quality materials, Playturf is an extremely durable and safe surfacing option for most play areas.
Underneath the Playturf, a dynamic play basework is laid out requiring 50mm of dirt to be dug out. A layer of weed-suppressant membrane stops any nasty weeds from ruining your surface. On top of this, a layer of sand and stone is laid on top to help create a stable surface for children to play on safely.
Not only does this surfacing type require little to no maintenance, but the high-quality look of the surface can easily be mistaken for natural turf, helping any play area remain natural and eye-catching. Hollywell loved the look of this surfacing type and were over-the-moon with the dynamic play basework being installed beneath it.
Most of the artificial grass was installed around the play equipment, as discussed later in this case study; but the school also wanted to create a sports area for the children. Knowing this, our team followed the exact specifications provided to us by the school to create an even sports surface.
On this surface, we also placed MUGA tape and white artificial grass to create the design of a football pitch, allowing children to easily play their favourite sports. In addition, the school also wanted some black Funturf to add design elements to the pitch. Once all of these elements were combined, the school had a brand new sports surface for the kids to play on.
Thermoplastic Playground Markings
Shifting our focus to the existing tarmac surfacing, the school had selected a variety of bespoke thermoplastic play area markings to apply to the surface. Known for promoting imaginative play, Pentagon Play's thermoplastic playground markings are a great addition for most primary schools who use tarmac.
Available in hundreds of different colours and designs, schools can have a variety of exciting designs placed on their tarmac surfacing. From the classic Hopscotch Marking to the unique Activity Trail Markings, life can be brought back to your tarmac playground in an economically friendly way.
As always, Pentagon Play only use the most high-quality materials for our products, which even includes our thermoplastic playground markings. Being made from such quality materials means that they can withstand years of heavy usage and poor weather conditions without showing any signs of wear and tear.
Hollywell were amazed by how vibrant the graphics were and how they enhanced the play area's atmosphere. By just adding these wonderful markings, the school were sure that the area would see more usage compared to before.
Installing Fencing
The school felt like the sports area needed to be more secure and contained to avoid any stray balls from flying into other areas and hurting the children. From this desire, it was decided that adding steel fencing around the area would help the sports area remain contained.
Constructed at a height of 2m, the steel fencing offered by Pentagon Play is the perfect addition to any MUGA wanting to be installed. Whether it's to stop damage to your school building or to protect the little ones from high-speed balls, the steel fence is durable enough to withstand even the most powerful shots for years to come.
The school also felt that certain areas of the playground needed fencing to help divide the playground up for zones to be established. As the steel fence was built more for sporting purposes, the school decided to go with our Bowtop Fencing.
Having a modern and natural design, the Bowtop Fencing option provides schools with an eye-catching way of dividing up their play spaces. Crafted from high-quality wood, not only does this fencing option last a while, but it also enhances the natural appeal of any playground it's placed in, which Hollywell loved.
Establishing Zones
As mentioned, Mrs Pett wanted the playground to host a variety of unique and exciting zones for children to explore other areas of play in an effective and engaging way. Knowing this, our team worked closely with the school to understand the main types of play they wanted to promote and worked on a variety of designs.
After receiving some feedback and making a few minor tweaks, the school felt confident with the two main zones that were going to be established and were excited to see the impact it would have on the children.
Communications and Language Zone
For a child to develop, it's important that they understand key communication and language skills to help them through life. Knowing this importance, Hollywell felt it was important to establish a zone which utilised playground equipment that would naturally promote the growth of these key skills whilst making it fun and engaging.
The zone would act as an outdoor classroom, allowing teachers to take small groups of children outside to learn in a new and exciting environment. To establish this zone, the school decided to have:
- A Freestanding Storytelling Chair
- A Giant Chalkboard on Posts
- A Giant Whiteboard on Posts
- 2 Perch Benches
The Freestanding Storytelling Chair is guaranteed to grab the attention of your pupils and help them focus on the teacher who sits in the chair. Alongside this, both the chalkboard and whiteboard provide a way for teachers to visualise their lessons to their children in an easy to understand manner.
Children can easily get comfortable with the 2 Perch Benches installed within the area, helping children to stay focused during the lesson and fully engage with the topics being taught. The school were ecstatic with this zone as they knew it would help to keep children excited for lesson times and give kids the exciting opportunity to learn in a new area.
Performance Zone
A performance zone can help children escape into new fiction-based worlds and work on a variety of social skills. Not only will their confidence soar to new heights, but children will build a stronger understanding of real world events and stories.
Knowing the importance of role play and imaginative play, the school decided to have the Dual Freestanding Stage placed in the play area. Available in a variety of colours, the Dual Freestanding Stage provides the perfect platform for children to express themselves in a variety of memorable ways.
Built by industry experts, this stage is designed to help children easily escape into the world of their performance whilst being the focus of attention. Audiences will feel captivated by any performance that takes place as they lay there eyes on this one-of-a-kind stage.
Speaking of the audience, the school wanted the children to cheer on their friends by being the audience. To achieve this, 4 Small Movable Artificial Grass Topped Seats were placed in the area, helping audience members get comfortable during showtime.
After seeing the completed zone, the school were amazed by how the final product looked and knew that this zone would be a huge hit with the pupils.
Seating Area
Playtime doesn't always mean that children have to be active. Sometimes, just having a chance to sit outside and breathe in fresh air is enough. The school wanted to create an area where children could sit down together and relax if they just wanted a break.
Pentagon Play's Picnic Tables not only provide a fantastic spot for children to relax and recharge, but they also come with a variety of games designed on the top surface. Each game provides a different challenge for children and encourages cognitive development whilst helping children connect with one another.
Deciding on the classic Chess and Draughts Gametop and the Playtown Gametop, both of the Picnic Tables selected by Hollywell Primary School provide a fun experience for children who want to rest but still engage in play. Having a rest is all some children need to approach their next lesson with determination and motivation.
Puzzlewood Forest Circuit
Being made up of numerous obstacles, the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit is the perfect trim trail for your little adventurers. With a variety of entry and exit points, all types of children are sure to have a blast exploring this huge obstacle course.
Constructed from high pressure treated 'play grade' timber and steel reinforced nylon ropes, the Puzzlewood is built to last for years to come, withstanding heavy usage and poor weather conditions. Knowing this, the school felt like this forest circuit was a great addition to their play area as it seemed like a strong investment.
Not only will the physical activity required to complete this course aid in the physical development of a child, but the obstacles and unique design of this playground equipment will naturally promote imaginative play. Whether your children become adventurers exploring a lost city or astronauts navigating a new planet, the Puzzlewood is sure to become the playground's most popular piece of equipment.
As the school were looking for new and unique equipment, Hollywell felt like the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit would instantly grab their children's attention and naturally draw them in to engage in active play. In addition, this piece of play equipment would replace some older equipment which was left abandoned by the children, helping to bring life back to this part of the playground.
Bowfell Climber
At last (but certainly not least), the Bowfell Climber is a fantastic resource for building a child's climbing confidence whilst aiding in physical development. With a unique design and a variety of ways to tackle this climbing frame, the Bowfell is sure to be a main attraction on any playground.
Similar to the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit, the Bowfell Climbing Frame is constructed from high pressure treated 'play grade' timber and steel reinforced ropes. Combining these two durable materials, the Bowfell is sure to last plenty of years and withstand the poorest weather conditions the most energetic children on the playground.
With it's unique design, children can easily escape into fantasy worlds and see the Bowfell Climber in new ways. From an unexplored jungle to a castle's dungeon, children will have a blast traversing this magnificent climbing frame in a number of different situations.
As the school wanted to naturally promote active play, the staff felt that the Bowfell climbing tower provided the perfect way to help children engage in beneficial play. Similar to the Puzzlewood, the school felt confident that the unique look of the Bowfell Climber would bring life back to the play area.
The Results
As the months rolled by, Pentagon Play decided to contact Hollywell Primary School to see if they would be happy with a few members of our staff visiting the rejuvenated playground to see the impact of the playground equipment and how it was impacting the children's lives. Mrs Petts and the team were more than happier for us to visit.
Greeted by Sallyann and her team, we were escorted to the play area. During this time, the staff told us how much the new play area was benefitting the children and how the kids were looking forward to playtime more since the new equipment was installed. In addition, the equipment was helping some children establish healthy behaviours and was positively impacting the children's physical development.
As we reached the playground, our team was over-the-moon to see how the new playground looked. Instantly, we saw large groups of children around the playground, engaging in different activities. From games of hopscotch on the tarmac playground to pupils exploring the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit, it was great to see the children so engaged in play.
Sallyann told us how the zones were helping children develop other skills too. A lot of teachers had provided positive feedback in regards to the communication and language zone, believing that their children were more attentive during lesson times. The performance zone was helping children improve their self-confidence and acting skills, leading to some children taking part in performance clubs.
Finally, we were shown the sports area, where the MUGA we installed was still looking fantastic. A group of children were playing a game of football as the staff told us how the new pitch had provided a fantastic area for the little ones to hone their sporting skills and actively engage in their favourite sports.
We are so happy to hear about the positive impact Pentagon Play has had on Hollywell Primary School's playground and we hope your playground continues to help pupils develop in a wide variety of areas. We wish the absolute best to Hollywell Primary and hope that they will think of Pentagon if they ever need anything for their playground again.
