Key Points
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Ashton West End Primary School in Ashton-under-Lyne is a vibrant, forward-thinking school where outdoor play is seen as a vital part of everyday learning. The team are passionate about giving children the freedom to explore, take risks and build confidence, creating spaces where imagination and curiosity can really thrive.
With a substantial budget of £100,000+, the school were not looking for a simple refresh. They wanted a bold transformation of their KS2 playground, creating a range of clearly defined zones that would encourage active, creative and social play. Having already embedded the OPAL approach into school life, it was important that the new playground supported open-ended play and gave children greater ownership over how they use the space.
Following an initial enquiry, the school invited Tom Hollingworth, one of our Outdoor Learning Consultants, to meet on site. Speaking with Headteacher Kim Pizuti, Tom quickly understood the school’s vision and ambition. With governors due to meet in October and a shared excitement around the ideas being discussed, it was clear this project had the potential to become something truly special.
The Challenges
Speaking with Kim Pizuti, the Headteacher at Ashton West End Primary School, Tom Hollingworth quickly built a strong relationship and gained a clear understanding of what the school wanted to achieve. This was not about adding a few new pieces of equipment. The goal was a full playground transformation that supported OPAL principles and gave KS2 pupils the freedom to play in more creative, child-led ways.
One of the key challenges was designing a playground made up of multiple zones that all served a clear purpose. With such a large space and an ambitious vision, it was essential that each area encouraged different types of play, from active and physical to social and imaginative, while still feeling connected as one cohesive playground.
Another important consideration was ensuring the design fully aligned with the school’s OPAL journey. The playground needed to invite exploration, problem solving and open-ended play, rather than dictate how children should use it. This meant carefully selecting features that encouraged creativity and adaptability, while still being robust enough for daily use by older pupils.
The final challenge was making sure the significant investment delivered long-term value. With a budget of £100,000+ funded directly by the school, every decision needed to stand the test of time. Tom worked closely with Kim to balance excitement with practicality, ensuring the playground would remain flexible, durable and easy to evolve as the school’s needs continue to grow.
With these challenges in mind, Tom began shaping a design that reflected Ashton West End’s ambition, ethos and commitment to play. By combining thoughtful planning with creative ideas, the project moved forward with real momentum and shared excitement about what the playground could become.
The Process
With the vision agreed and confidence high, the project moved quickly from ideas into action. Tom remained closely involved, working alongside Kim and the team as the playground concept was refined into a clear, exciting plan that captured exactly what Ashton West End wanted to achieve.
Instead of a single static design, the playground was carefully broken down into purposeful zones. Our visualisation team translated this thinking into immersive 3D and 2D visuals that showed how each area would flow into the next, helping the school see how OPAL-inspired play could come to life across the entire space. These designs made it easy to picture children moving freely between zones, creating their own adventures and experiences every day.
Behind the scenes, our manufacturing team began bringing the playground to life. Each element was built in-house using durable, sustainable materials chosen to withstand the demands of KS2 play. From large-scale features to supporting elements, everything was crafted with longevity, flexibility and creativity in mind, ensuring the playground could evolve alongside the children who use it.
Once production was complete, our installation team arrived on site ready to transform the space. Working efficiently and with great attention to detail, they carefully assembled each zone, ensuring safety, quality and finish were never compromised. Watching the playground take shape was a powerful moment, as a once traditional space was transformed into an environment built for exploration, collaboration and imagination.
Before long, the transformation was complete. Ashton West End Primary School now had a playground that truly reflected its values, its OPAL approach and its commitment to play. With the space ready to be enjoyed, Tom arranged to return once the children had settled in, eager to see how the playground would come to life through their play.
The Results
By March, the new playground at Ashton West End Primary School was ready to be seen in action, and Tom returned alongside members of the Pentagon Play team to experience the space as the children did every day. Kim and the staff welcomed the visit with real enthusiasm, eager to share how quickly the playground had become part of daily school life.
As the team stepped outside, the impact was immediate. The playground was buzzing with energy as children confidently moved between zones, climbing, building, imagining and collaborating. Staff spoke about how the space had transformed playtimes, giving pupils the freedom to lead their own play while staying active, engaged and curious. The layout encouraged natural movement and exploration, with children instinctively finding activities that suited their interests and abilities.
Spending time observing the playground in use made it clear how thoughtfully the space had been designed. Children flowed easily between physical challenges and imaginative play, working together and solving problems as they went. The playground felt vibrant and purposeful, perfectly reflecting the school’s approach to play and learning, and it was clear that this was a space the children truly felt proud to call their own.
Quiet Break Out Zone
Entering the Quiet Break Out Zone, it was immediately clear that this area had been thoughtfully designed to offer children a calm and welcoming space away from the busier parts of the playground. The equipment within the zone created an inviting environment where children could slow down, relax and enjoy play at their own pace, supporting emotional wellbeing alongside social development.
The play equipment encouraged gentle, open ended use rather than high energy activity. Children were able to sit, chat, read or engage in imaginative play, using play equipment (such as the Large Performance Stage) as a backdrop for quieter moments of creativity. Staff shared how this zone had become a popular choice for children who needed time to reset, reflect or simply enjoy a calmer form of outdoor play.
By providing a dedicated area for rest and low key interaction, the Quiet Break Out Zone helped ensure that every child had access to a space that suited their needs. Play equipment like the Movable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats worked together with the other equipment to create a peaceful atmosphere that promoted confidence, inclusion and positive behaviour, making it an essential part of the playground and a valuable addition to the school’s outdoor provision.
Overall, the Quiet Break Out Zone included:
- A Large Performance Stage with a Chalkboard
- Four Small Movable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats
- Four Picnic Table with a Whiteboard Top
- Over 85m² of Playturf Deluxe Artificial Grass
Den Making Zone
The Den Making Zone immediately stood out as the heart of the playground, designed to put children’s imagination firmly in the driving seat. Positioned at the center, it became a focal point for OPAL Play, encouraging pupils to take the lead in shaping their own adventures and exploring endless possibilities through creative play.
The Den Making Posts offered an open ended canvas for construction, storytelling and role play. Children could work alone or collaborate with friends, building dens, creating worlds and experimenting with ideas in ways that suited their own pace and curiosity. Staff noted how this zone inspired problem solving, teamwork and independent thinking all while keeping the focus firmly on fun.
Framed by a soft artificial grass area, the space naturally invited children to step in, sit, climb or build, creating a safe yet stimulating environment. The combination of adaptable equipment and thoughtful layout ensured that the Den Making Zone supported both creativity and physical play, making it a vibrant hub of exploration and a key part of the playground experience.
Overall, the Den Making Zone offered:
- Three Large Den Making Posts with Holes
- Three Medium Den Making Posts with Holes
- Over 40m² of Playturf Deluxe Artificial Grass
Main Playground PE Zone
Next, we made our way to the Main Playground PE Zone, which had been completely transformed into a multi-use sports area. At the heart of the space were four Mesh-Multi goals, each cleverly designed with football posts and a basketball hoop on top, making it perfect for a variety of games and activities.
Staff were thrilled with how the space had come together, noting that the goals allowed pupils to enjoy structured ball games during PE lessons, lunch breaks, and free play. The versatility of the area meant children could switch between sports easily, whether practicing football skills, shooting hoops, or inventing entirely new games.
The multi-use setup encouraged teamwork, physical activity, and healthy competition, while the clear layout ensured that multiple groups could play safely at the same time. The PE Zone quickly became a favourite spot for energetic play, providing children with opportunities to develop their coordination, stamina, and social skills all year round.
Adventure Play Zone
The second to last zone we explored was the Adventure Play Zone, a space designed to challenge children of all ages and keep everyone engaged. At the centre of this zone stood the Crinkle Crags Climber with Platform and Slide, one of our most exciting climbing frames on the market. Its open-ended design encouraged children to climb, explore, and let their imaginations run wild, offering endless opportunities for adventurous play.
The all-weather artificial grass surfacing ensured that no matter what the weather was doing, the Adventure Play Zone could be used all year round. Staff explained how this had quickly become a favourite spot for energetic play, helping children develop physical confidence, coordination, and social skills as they navigated the climber and slid down with friends.
Watching the children move through the space, it was clear how well the Adventure Play Zone had been designed. The combination of the dynamic climbing structure, slide, and flexible open area allowed for creativity, collaboration, and healthy competition, making it a true highlight of the playground and a hub of excitement for pupils every day.
Overall, the Adventure Play Zone featured:
- The Crinkle Crags Climber with Platform and Slide
- Two Forest Roll Over Bars
- Over 240m² of Playturf Deluxe Artificial Grass
Playground Shelters
As we continued our tour around the playground, two of our Playground Shelters immediately caught our attention. Both featured the 5m Hexagonal Gazebo design, standing proudly as versatile additions to the outdoor space. These gazebos were not only visually striking but also functional, providing the perfect spots for outdoor lessons and ensuring children could stay dry and focused, no matter the weather.
Staff explained how the shelters had quickly become popular breakout areas, offering quiet zones for reflection or a calm spot to recharge between energetic play sessions. Each gazebo comfortably accommodates up to 30 children, making them ideal for both structured learning activities and casual downtime.
Seeing the children naturally gravitate towards these spaces highlighted just how important the gazebos were for the playground. They seamlessly blended practicality with comfort, supporting a range of uses while giving the playground even more opportunities for learning, imagination, and social interaction.
MUGA Extension
The final area we explored was the extension of the school’s well-loved Multi-Use Games Area. From our conversations, it was clear that the children are enthusiastic about all kinds of sports, and the existing space was already a hub of activity. Extending the area provided an excellent opportunity to give the pupils even more room to play, develop skills, and enjoy friendly competition.
The additional space allowed for more flexibility during PE lessons and playtimes, ensuring that multiple groups of children could engage in games at the same time without feeling crowded. The extension complemented the original area perfectly, creating a seamless and versatile outdoor sports zone.
Walking around, it was inspiring to see how the enhanced Multi-Use Games Area encouraged teamwork, physical development, and healthy competition. By expanding this key part of the playground, the school now has a truly dynamic environment where children can stay active, have fun, and develop a love for sport throughout the year.
In total, the extension included:
- Over 150m² of Tru-Turf Artificial Sports Grass
- 50m of Glued Edging
- 45m of Seam Tape
Thermoplastic Markings
We walked over to the new Netball court and were immediately impressed by the bold, colourful layout. Designed with bright blue thermoplastic surfacing and a contrasting yellow pitch divider, the court was not only visually striking but also highly practical for a range of games and activities.
Staff explained how the markings had completely transformed the space, providing a clear and safe area for structured play while encouraging pupils to develop their skills, coordination, and teamwork. The court quickly became a hub for energetic play, drawing children in and inspiring friendly competition and group games.
Beyond the sport itself, the vibrant colours and clear lines also added a sense of order and structure to the playground. Children were able to confidently move, run, and play within the space, while still having the freedom to create their own games and imaginative scenarios around the court. The thermoplastic markings ensured that learning, exercise, and fun all came together seamlessly.
Reflection
Working with Ashton West End Primary School has been a real pleasure for our team. From our very first meeting with Kim Pizuti, it was clear how passionate the staff are about creating a vibrant, imaginative playground for their KS2 children. Being part of this transformation and helping turn their vision into a dynamic, engaging space has been incredibly rewarding.
Seeing the children explore every corner of the new playground with confidence, creativity, and energy reminded us why we do what we do. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces don’t just provide fun—they help children build skills, foster independence, and encourage teamwork.
We wish Ashton West End Primary School every success as their pupils continue to enjoy the playground, and we are proud to welcome the school as a valued member of the Pentagon Play family.
