Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Project Value: £30,000+
Age Range: 5-11
INTRODUCTION
Situated in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire, St Kentigern’s Catholic Primary School offers a parish of community faith, helping to develop children’s spiritual, mental and physical abilities to their highest potential.
GOALS
The school identified a need to invest in their outdoor spaces to spark excitement and focus for the children during breaktimes and lunchtimes.
The school required 2 play areas that would keep the children active and encourage physical development for all children, as well as areas where the children key stage 1 children could practice phonics and engage in interactive reading all as part of their learning development.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
The local consultant and headteacher discussed concepts and strategies for transforming the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 playgrounds into engaging and educational spaces. They explored various design possibilities and discussed how to create environments that would inspire creativity, learning, and physical activity among the students.
After presenting a design to the school and reaching a final agreement on the proposal, the installation of the two new playgrounds were agreed: with the school using reserved money from the school budget to fund the project.
FINAL INSTALL
Key Stage 1 Area
| Role Play House w/Chalkboard and Benches | Grass Topped Seats 300mm |
| Mark Making Drywipe Board F/S | Physical Development Blocks (12) |
| Mark Making Paint Board F/S | Duralawn |
Key Stage 2 Area
| 5.4m Sailaway Canopy | Rope Weaver 2100 |
| Clatter Bridge 2100 | Log Traverse 2100 |
| LH Link Mini Beam | Drop Rope Traverse 2100 |
| Link Mini Balance Beam | Duralawn |
| Rope Crossing Bridge 2100 |
KS1 & KS2 – Playground Markings
KEY RESULTS
- Two new vibrant play spaces that can be used all year round by KS1 and KS2.
- More opportunities for outdoor learning and phonics in Key Stage 1.
- Children are now more active during their breaktimes and lunchtimes.
- Children are noticeably more engaged during playtimes.
FEEDBACK FROM THE CUSTOMER
“Fawns’ development of our playgrounds has created an inclusive, stimulating and welcoming environment! Both our KS1 and KS2 playgrounds were lacking in any stimulating or attractive features to engage the children or staff. (We are a small school in relation to outdoor space, with no field or grass at all.) The children absolutely love playing out now and exploring the range of equipment including the trim trail, beach huts and outdoor seating area.
The playground markings help the children to develop team skills and turn taking, encouraging healthy competition and new challenges. Our new outdoor EYFS provision is perfect for enabling our younger children to develop their gross motor skills on the physical development blocks, as well as having lots of fun in the fresh air.
Along with colourful areas to run around and play in, Fawns has also helped us to create sensory/relaxation areas where children can have time to read, chat or just reflect in the beach huts or on the grassed seating areas. These spaces enable pupils to be calm, putting them in a better position to learn, solve problems, have a laugh and be brave.
We would definitely call on Fawns again for future projects!”
S.Brooks, Deputy Headteacher
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