Context
Westbrook Hay Prep School is an independent situated in Hertfordshire, and prides itself on excellent academic standards and providing an all-inclusive community. Their latest investment in an outdoor learning area allows children to learn and play outdoors in a high-quality and inclusive environment that has been designed and built to help children to connect with natural environments.
The outdoor learning area was designed with a collaboration of ideas from parents, staff and, most importantly, the children.
Project
Timotay Playscapes was employed to build an ecological environment that would stimulate learning.
In their outdoor classroom the children are engaged, motivated and thinking with stimulating resources that capture their interest. There is room to run, explore, create and imagine. In the design, Timotay Playscapes has built on the heuristic play already experienced and provided similar opportunities.
In the outdoor classroom:
- Pupils will be able to nurture plants, observe life-cycles and eat produce, in addition to experiencing a sensory feast.
- In the mud kitchens, bubbling stream, water walls and beach pupils will be able to engage with the elements, alongside problem-solving with pulleys and levers.
- Balance and strength will be developed through negotiating wobbly bridges and undulating pathways.
- Quiet time for thought and reflection can take place in the secret garden and sensory area.
Award
The project won a Gold Award at the APL 2021 Awards.
Context
Westbrook Hay Prep School is an independent situated in Hertfordshire, and prides itself on excellent academic standards and providing an all-inclusive community. Their latest investment in an outdoor learning area allows children to learn and play outdoors in a high-quality and inclusive environment that has been designed and built to help children to connect with natural environments.
The outdoor learning area was designed with a collaboration of ideas from parents, staff and, most importantly, the children.
Project
Timotay Playscapes was employed to build an ecological environment that would stimulate learning.
In their outdoor classroom the children are engaged, motivated and thinking with stimulating resources that capture their interest. There is room to run, explore, create and imagine. In the design, Timotay Playscapes has built on the heuristic play already experienced and provided similar opportunities.
In the outdoor classroom:
- Pupils will be able to nurture plants, observe life-cycles and eat produce, in addition to experiencing a sensory feast.
- In the mud kitchens, bubbling stream, water walls and beach pupils will be able to engage with the elements, alongside problem-solving with pulleys and levers.
- Balance and strength will be developed through negotiating wobbly bridges and undulating pathways.
- Quiet time for thought and reflection can take place in the secret garden and sensory area.
Award
The project won a Gold Award at the APL 2021 Awards.