Location: Gravel Hill Primary School, Bexleyheath, London
Project Value: £35,000+
Age Range: Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Playgrounds
Gravel Hill Primary School knew they needed to encourage physical development for their children during the school day. But, they were unsure of where to begin their playground project. After some background research and speaking to other local schools, they contacted our office. They then arranged a free consultation with one of our play experts, Neil Martin. By utilising Neil’s 17 years’ experience designing playgrounds, the school discovered that they were able to afford not one, but two large pieces of playground equipment that would provide age-appropriate challenge for both their Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils within the budget they had set aside. They were understandably delighted with the news and couldn’t wait to get the project underway.
With very little outdoor play equipment currently available for their pupils, Gravel Hill wanted an exciting piece of play equipment that would cater for many Key Stage 1 pupils, focused on improving agility, balance and co-ordination. For their Key Stage 2 play area, the brief from the school was to increase the level of challenge, offering something alternative in terms of design to the Key Stage 1 play equipment, but that would develop further the pupils gross motor skills and core strength. The school were also keen to incorporate some problem solving, decision-making and increased teamwork between the children in both new play areas.
Creating an extension of the school playground
With over 400 pupils at the school, space on the existing tarmac playgrounds was at a premium. To ensure the new play equipment didn’t impact on the current activities, our play consultant, Neil Martin recommended utilising the school playing field which was near both playgrounds and able to serve as a perfect extension to the existing playgrounds without any restrictions on access or visibility for supervision.
New playground equipment for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
Take a look at the individual pieces of play equipment selected by Gravel Hill Primary School for their Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 play areas below:
A shared vision for learning through play
Gravel Hill Primary School has a very simple, yet impactful motto: Learning for Life. They fully believe that “The Future is not somewhere we are going to, it is something we are creating right now”, and it was a pleasure to assist in creating multiple playgrounds that inspire children to learn, discover and lead healthy, active lives. Having been informed by the school of the exponential growth in confidence, physical activity, and general well-being of the pupils since their new playgrounds have been installed, we know the new playground equipment will continue to make a positive impact, for the pupils of Gravel Hill Primary School for many years to come.
Key Playground Results:
- Two large individual pieces of play equipment achieved within the budget available and specifically designed to cater for many children at once.
- All weather extension of the existing playground achieved on both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 playgrounds, creating much needed additional space at break and lunch times.
- Age-appropriate play equipment that encourages improvement of agility, balance, grip and co-ordination for Key Stage 1 pupils.
- Age-appropriate play equipment that encourages physical development improving problem solving, decision making and communication for Key Stage 2 pupils.
What do Gravel Hill Primary School have to say about the project?
“Great advice and the correct equipment were purchased. We are so pleased with the final equipment!”
Other projects you may be interested in
Sundridge & Brastead C of E Primary School
