Key Points
|
Churchtown Primary School in Southport is known for its warm and supportive community. It is a place where people come together and look after one another, especially in difficult times. When the school lost two of its pupils, Alice Aguiar and Bebe King, the whole community responded with compassion and a shared desire to create something meaningful in their memory.
The school imagined a memorial playground that would reflect the girls’ spirit. They wanted a space filled with colour, joy and a sense of togetherness. A place where children could play, connect and feel safe. It would be a lasting tribute that would became part of everyday life at Churchtown Primary.
The idea touched the hearts of families, friends and residents across Southport. Fundraising began almost immediately and the community showed incredible dedication as people across the UK donated towards this fantastic project.
With the crowdfunding beginning, Churchtown Primary began looking for a team who could help turn their vision into reality. That search led them to Pentagon Play and soon after, the school quickly got in touch with one of our most creative playground consultants (Joshua Perry).
The Challenges
Josh started speaking to Jack Snowdon (Director of Estates and Ops for the Endeavour Learning Trust), quickly building a strong relationship with him. Throughout the conversation, Josh wanted to understand more about the project and what the school envisioned for their memorial playground.
As the conversation continued, Josh started to note a few potential challenges that Pentagon Play could face with the project. The main challenge would be delivering a playground that truly encapsulates the energy and vibrance that both Alice and Bebe brought to Churchtown Primary School. All jobs are important for us, but memorial jobs (like this project) require the most attention to ensure that we can honour those who are no longer with us.
The next challenge Josh noted was the required flexibility of the project. The school weren't 100% how much funding they were going to achieve, so it was important that the plans remained versatile. Jack mentioned how if the school managed to raise more than it had anticipated, they would love the ability to add more to the initial plans, to ensure that the play space provides as much joy and laughter as possible.
Nearing the end of the conversation, Josh made one more note of a potential challenge that we could face. Due to the nature of the project, it was incredibly important that all the products involved in it were high quality and durable. As the playground was being built in memory of two amazing children, we had to make sure that the playground could stay in great condition for many years to come, ensuring the memory of Alice and Bebe never fades.
Once the initial phone call had finished, Josh started working closely with Jack and the team at Churchtown Primary School to help them design the perfect playground. Throughout the months, the school managed to smash their fundraising target, letting them purchase even more beautiful pieces of play equipment.
Throughout the entire process, Josh made Pentagon Play proud by remaining his happy self and adapting to every need the school had. No matter how big or small the change was, Josh made sure that every revision was made until the school was amazed with their design.
The Process
As the final design was signed off by Jack and the team at Churchtown Primary School, Josh got straight to work on bringing the playground to life by working closely with all the other departments. Whilst Josh kept Jack and the others updated with how the project was coming along, our amazing in-house visualisation team started producing their incredible 3D and 2D graphics.
Visualisations like ours allow stakeholders of a project to see what the proposed project will look like when fully completed, allowing them to feel more involved with the project. In Churchtown Primary School's case, our visualisation was featured in a segment on BBC news where the parents of Alice and Bebe saw the design and were moved to tears by how beautiful the final result would look.
With the visualisations being sent out on a regular basis, our manufacturing team were next on the list. From sourcing the highest-quality and most sustainable materials on the market, to using state-of-the-art equipment, we're able to create our famous playground equipment in record time. In addition to this, all of the manufacturing process happens on-site, further reducing the turnaround times by a significant amount.
Having all the equipment loaded on to our vans, it was time to start the installation. Due to the size of the project, we sent a lot of our experienced installers to ensure that the project was installed quickly and effectively. Members like Jamie Fleet, Joseph Chapman, Bradley Shaw, Callum Nolan and plenty of others were all called upon to showcase their expertise and ensure that the installation went smoothly.
As the days ticked by, the playground was finally completed near the end of the summer holidays, allowing students of the new academic year to explore the vibrant and joyful environment created in memory of Alice and Bebe. Josh asked Mrs Payne (Churchtown Primary's Headteacher) if Pentagon Play could visit the playground in the new year to do a case study to showcase the incredible work that everyone did to bring this playground to life.
Saying yes, Josh headed back to the office and relayed the news to the marketing team. Whilst Pentagon Play waited to see the playground in action, we were honoured to be invited to the grand opening of the playground. In addition, we had the absolute pleasure of seeing our work featured on BBC news, ITV news and other news outlets. Seeing how much this playground meant to the people of Southport made us realise how much we love our jobs.
The Results
As the day arrived, two members of our marketing team set off to capture the magic that the new playground had brought to the children of Churchtown Primary School. Sarah Roberts (Pentagon Play's fabulous Social Media Specialist) and Jacey Roberts (Pentagon's Head of Marketing) arrived at the school and were greeted with open arms.
Walking through the school, Mrs Payne and the staff started explaining the impact that the new playground had not only on the children, but the community. They felt like it perfectly captured the energy and joy that both Alice and Bebe bought to the school and had established a sense of community within Southport.
Entering the new playground, both Sarah and Jacey were over-the-moon to see all of the children engaging with the new playground and all of the equipment on it. The staff told us how the area had now been split into a variety of different sections to help children focus on specific areas of personal development.
Each area was designed to not only provide a safe space to focus on particular types of play, but to also create an ever-lasting tribute to both of the girls. Throughout the entire playground, little mementos were placed, helping children to remember Alice and Bebe, and how their adventurous spirit would live on.
Canopy & Gazebo Area
Wanting a space where children could learn outdoors, the school had both a canopy and a gazebo installed within the area. Visiting these areas, Jacey and Sarah saw group of children sitting down and engaging in books and conversations, giving them a chance to rest during their playtimes.
The bespoke canopy was an incredible sight to see, with it's double doors providing an accessible entry way into the cosy, shared space. On the walls, shelving was placed to allow the school to store learning resources, and a picture of both Alice and Bebe could be seen overlooking the entire structure.
Close by, the octagonal gazebo provided a nice, quiet space for groups of children to take the books to a new area, surrounded by trees and natural grass. Staff told us how the area also acted as a fantastic space for outdoor lessons, allowing children to escape the confines of a classroom and learn in an exciting new area.
Both structures provided a sense of free-flow to the playground and connected the indoor environment perfectly with the outdoor environment.
Overall, this specific area contained:
- A Bespoke 11m x 4m Canopy
- A 6M Octagonal Gazebo Double Doors with Windows
- Five Small Moveable Artificial Grass Seats
- Three Large Moveable Artificial Grass Seats
- Over 50m² of Artificial Grass Surfacing
Physical Area
Reaching the second area of the playground, staff told us how this area had quickly become a favourite amongst the children, due to the variety of exciting equipment. Not only that, but the teachers had noticed that energetic students were burning their energy more effectively, helping them focus more during lessons.
With artificial grass surfacing covering the area, the variety of play equipment installed here perfectly matched the safety surfacing, creating a sense of nature and exploration. Speaking to the children, they loved this area as it helped them escape into their imaginations and engage in play more effectively. From pirates exploring a new island, to knights exploring a dungeon, it was safe to say that the adventurous spirit that Alice and Bebe brought to the school was truly being remembered.
From our famous Latrigg Mountain Climber to the exciting Kielder Forest Circuit, this area provide a wide variety of physical challenges for all children to engage in. From climbing to balancing, children would be developing both fine and gross motor skills, helping them develop healthy bodies and behaviours.
The Twin Imagination Station was also a keen favourite, providing a physical challenge for children of all abilities. Alongside this, this piece of equipment has been designed to invoke children's imaginations, helping them feel more engaged with playtime and naturally engage in healthy activities without a fuss!
Overall, this specific area contained:
- A Twin Imagination Station
- Two Forest Roll Over Bars
- A Latrigg Mountain Climber
- A Kielder Forest Circuit
- Two Horizontal Climbing Wall Traverses
- Over 230m² of Artificial Grass Surfacing
Quiet Area
Reaching the quiet area, the staff explained how the school wanted an area where children could quietly reflect on themselves and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the playground. Whether they're feeling tired or sad, this area would provide the opportunity for children to express themselves in a beautiful area.
Featuring products like the Giant Playhouse, Forest Floor Learning Den and a Wigwam, children were given a variety of places to explore and escape the high-energy playground. Throughout the zone, artificial grass surfacing was placed to help create a sensory-friendly area where children felt safe enough to de-stimulate and rest.
The schools pre-existing gazebo was also given a makeover, with new artificial grass surfacing being placed underneath it, and a beautiful memorial piece being installed on the wall inside it. This gave children who felt particularly affected by the tragic loss of Alice and Bebe a place to rest and pay tribute to their friends.
Standing in this area was truly a magical experience, with both Jacey and Sarah being moved to tears by how beautiful the area looked and operated. Overall, the first quiet zone featured:
- A Giant Playhouse
- Four Small Moveable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats
- A Forest Floor Learning Den with Two Windows, Bench and Artificial Grass Base
- Three Wigwams
- Two Perch Benches
- Three Picnic Tables with Chalkboard Tops
- Two Picnic Tables with Wheelchair Access
- A Freestanding Timber Canopy (8m x 4m)
- A Rainwater Harvesting Butt
- Five Integrated Benches
- Over 130m² of Artificial Grass Surfacing
Performance Area
Alice was a keen dancer and never failed to put on spectacular shows for both the students and the teachers. As we were being told this from the staff, we were taken to one of the most memorable parts of the new playground: the Performance Area.
Having over 16m² of decking, the stage provided a huge amount of room for students to engage in drama and role play. Featuring a layer of red funturf on top, children quickly lost themselves in a variety of performances, as other children made use of the freestanding artificial grass-topped seats to watch.
Beside the stage was another beautiful memorial piece, featuring a ballerina with a banner showcasing "Dance with Heart. Dance with wonder - just like Alice".
Seeing such a beautiful tribute, it was understandable why the area was so memorable. Overall, this beautiful area contained:
- A Freestanding Communication and Language Zone
- A Bespoke Performance Stage Sign
- Bespoke Ballerina Figures
- A pack of five Drum Seats
- A Musical Triad
- A Major Pentatonic Chimes
- 16m² of Decking and Red Funturf
Early Years Area
Entering the EYFS play area, the surfacing had taken on a different colour. A mixture of brown/beige wetpour and bright artificial grass was present throughout, invoking a feeling of joy and adventure. Staff quickly told us how this area used to be a bland bit of tarmac, but since the new equipment arrived, they've never seen it so busy!
From our famous Get Set Go Mendips set to our incredible Den Making Posts, the area acted as a central hub for children of all abilities to come together and develop as one. Seeing such a sense of community and pride, it made us truly believe that the school was paying homage to both Alice and Bebe in the best way possible.
The area was beautifully sectioned off with our rustic-looking Bow Top Timber Fencing, allowing the area to remain safe for the little ones who chose to explore this area, and ensured that boundaries were clearly drawn between this area and others.
Two beautiful rainbow benches could also be spotted, where children could rest before jumping back in action. The school felt like the rainbow benches were a perfect reminder of Alice & Bebe and the vibrance and joy they brought to the school, and felt like a rainbow perfectly represented them.
Overall, this area included:
- A Freestanding Communication and Language Zone
- A Get Set Go Blocks Mendips Set
- An Imagination Station
- Two sets of Den Making Posts
- A Wigwam
- Two Picnic Tables with Chalkboard Tops
- A 5M Hexagonal Gazebo
- A Forest Floor Learning Den with Two Windows, Bench and Artificial Grass Base
- Two Rainbow Benches
- A Perch Bench
- 10m of Bow Top Timber Fencing
- Over 290m² of Artificial Grass Surfacing
- Over 40m² of Wetpour
MUGA Sports Pitch
The final area our team saw was the recently resurfaced MUGA sports pitch. The MUGA had always been a popular part of the playground, and the school felt that resurfacing the area would breathe a fresh lease of life into it, allowing their students to continue playing the sports that brought them joy.
With clear line markings and a new surface of 4G artificial grass, the MUGA was better than ever! No matter what sport was played here, it was sure to leave a lasting impact on all of its users. In addition, we were told how the area would be a vital resource for PE lessons, reducing the stress of potential serious injuries occurring on the surface.
Featuring over 240m² of the new sports surfacing, and 38m of line markings, this MUGA was already attracting a huge audience. From football to netball, the MUGA was there to support children and promote a positive attitude towards sports.
Reflection
Working with Churchtown Primary School has been a truly meaningful experience for our team. Being trusted to help create a space that honours Alice and Bebe was something we approached with great care and gratitude. It reminded us of the deep role that play can have in bringing comfort, connection and joy to a school community.
Seeing the finished playground and the way it has been embraced by staff, pupils and families has reinforced why we do what we do. We believe every child deserves a place where they can feel safe, happy and free to explore. This project showed us how powerful a playground can be when it is created with heart and purpose.
We wish Churchtown Primary School every happiness as they continue to use and enjoy their new memorial space. Most of all, we hope the playground becomes a place filled with laughter and kindness. Alice and Bebe will always be remembered, and their spirit will continue to shine through the play and joy shared in this special place. They will forever be part of the Pentagon Play family.
