Challenge

The existing playground benefited from a shade sail canopy and wet pour surfacing but the area had become tired. The school wanted to improve its outdoor play provision with a play space that would harness personal, emotional, language and physical development for the early years, while allowing the children to have fun.

Richard Pennington, Area Manager at Sovereign met with the school’s Business Manager, Steph Mapp, to discuss the school’s aims and the key elements that needed to be incorporate into the new area. Due to a fantastic location in Wimbledon and the play area being the first thing people see from the main road – Sovereign was keen to come up with an eye-catching solution that represented the school, while providing a fun, yet interactive, play space.

Solution

Other than existing playground markings and canopy, the play area was a blank canvas for improvement. Sovereign created designs for a new play area using floor space in an imaginative way, with a stimulating selection of outdoor play equipment to support development.

Sovereign designed a space that wouldn’t be closed in with lots of equipment, but made wet pour surfacing fun while promoting social interaction with other children. This was complemented with a range of play facilities and outdoor furniture for an assortment of playtime activities.

Installation

New equipment was installed over a three week period. This included re-surfacing to the play area with wet pour in bright colours, incorporating roadway, fish and alphabet motifs, allowing children to use their imaginations.

New play facilities were installed to promote many areas of learning and development:

  • staging and seating
  • covered sand pit
  • water flow activity panel
  • play lodge
  • blackboard activity panels

In addition to play equipment was the installation of a quiet area with toadstool seating to provide opportunities for learning outside the classroom. The area was finished with a storage unit, colourful fencing and bespoke planters around the existing canopy.

Outcome

Merton Park Primary School now benefits from a bright outdoor area for interactive learning and play. The new equipment enhances personal, emotional, language and physical development for the school’s children – while giving them access to plenty of playtime opportunities.

“The school is now very happy with the new playground project. Early years is now a striking and exciting play space. The teachers and children are really enjoying working in the new area.”

– Mrs K. Gooderick, Head Teacher