Case study: Fearnville Primary School
October, 2009
The Brief
Outdoor and Play were asked by Mr Gibbons, the head teacher, to supply various items of fixed apparatus into the play space, which was lacking in fixed structures.
Lynne Roberts of Outdoor and Play explains ‘The apparatus Mr Gibbons wanted to include were the usual elements required for the age ranges. My difficulty was supplying apparatus into the area as it was; the tarmac was uneven, of differing ages and states of wear and was criss- crossed by wide and uneven flagstone paths. In addition, there were several areas of puddling. It would never look right and I felt we would be doing the school a disservice’
The Solution
Was a complete re-design of the area including new drainage gulleys and a complete new tarmac surface. This helped to create a clean manageable space into which apparatus could be properly located and not just ‘dropped in’. We were able to create discrete activity areas which worked well individually or with other pieces of apparatus. The overall layout created an informal roadway layout for children to explore on their bikes, discovering such delights as a shop, a petrol station, a puppet theatre, stage area, digging and sand-play, a two -tower timber play unit in a bark enclosure, a log play den and an enclosed art station with easel, chalkboard and workstation.
Ian Roberts says ‘I would class this area as one of the most transformed play spaces Outdoor and Play has achieved. It was amazing to revisit and watch the activity going on in the area. The children were thoroughly enjoying themselves’