Wesley Methodist Primary School is a warm and welcoming school where children are encouraged to grow in confidence and curiosity. The staff are passionate about creating positive learning environments, both in the classroom and outdoors, where every child can feel happy and supported.
Key Points
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With an existing artificial grass area already in place, the school felt it was the right time to refresh the EYFS outdoor space. They were open to new ideas around surfacing and equipment and wanted a well balanced play area that could be delivered within their budget and completed during the current school year.
After Jane Pritchard, the Business Manager, initially got in touch about refreshing playground markings, conversations soon expanded to the wider outdoor area. This led to Tom Hollingworth, one of our Outdoor Learning Consultants, working closely with Jane and the Headteacher to explore how the EYFS space could be transformed into something exciting and long lasting for the children to enjoy.
The Challenges
Speaking with Jane Pritchard and the Headteacher at Wesley Methodist Primary School, Tom quickly built a great rapport and gained a clear understanding of what the school wanted to achieve. The focus was on refreshing the EYFS outdoor space, with the team open to ideas around both surfacing and equipment that would breathe new life into an area the children already loved.
One of the first challenges was making the most of the existing space. With artificial grass already in place and EYFS pupils as the main users, the design needed to work around what was there while still introducing exciting new features. The goal was to create a refreshed layout that felt purposeful, engaging and easy for young children to explore.
Another key challenge was working within the school budget and timescale. With a clear budget in mind and a desire to complete the project within the current school year, Tom helped the team prioritise what would have the biggest impact. This meant carefully selecting equipment and surfacing that delivered long term value without stretching resources.
The final challenge involved balancing small immediate needs with the bigger picture. What began as a request to refresh playground markings quickly grew into wider conversations about improving the EYFS area as a whole. Tom worked closely with the school to ensure both short term improvements and future possibilities were considered together.
After the discussions, Tom gathered his notes and began shaping ideas that reflected the schools vision while addressing each challenge. By sharing practical advice and creative suggestions, he helped the team move forward with confidence and excitement about what their refreshed outdoor space could become.
The Process
Once Tom and the team at Wesley Methodist Primary School were happy with the plans, the project moved into an exciting new phase. Tom stayed in regular contact with Jane and the Headteacher while our visualisation team began bringing the ideas to life through bright and detailed 3D and 2D designs. These visuals helped everyone picture the finished space clearly and sparked plenty of excitement about what was coming next.
As the designs were shared with the school, our manufacturing team got to work creating the new equipment and features for the EYFS area. Using high quality and sustainable materials, each piece was carefully made in our own workshop. This hands on approach meant we could keep things moving quickly while still delivering the level of quality schools expect from us.
Once everything was ready, our installations team arrived on site and began the transformation. Trained by one of the United Kingdoms leading playground companies, they worked efficiently and safely, paying close attention to every detail. Before long, the refreshed outdoor space was taking shape and starting to look like a place full of fun and possibility.
With the work complete, the playground felt brighter, more engaging and ready to be enjoyed. Tom arranged to return once the children had settled in, and the school were more than happy to welcome him back to see how the new space was being used and loved.
The Results
As the school year moved along, Tom and a few members of the Pentagon Play team returned to Wesley Methodist Primary School to see how the refreshed outdoor space was being enjoyed. From the moment they arrived, they were greeted by Jane and the school staff, whose warm welcome instantly made the visit feel relaxed and positive.
As they walked towards the play areas, staff shared how much of a difference the changes had already made. The EYFS children were confidently exploring the space, making full use of the new surfacing and equipment. Teachers explained that the updates had helped create a more engaging and purposeful environment, giving children the freedom to play, move and learn in ways that suited them best.
Stepping outside, it was clear to see the impact straight away. Children were fully immersed in their play, climbing, balancing and chatting with friends as they moved naturally between activities. Both the spaces felt lively and inviting, filled with energy and excitement, and it was a joy to see how comfortable and happy the children were outdoors.
As we spent time observing both areas, it became clear how thoughtfully the space had been designed. Both playgrounds supported a wide variety of different forms of play, helping children develop vital and important skills. With the children thriving in their new surroundings, it was the perfect moment to take a closer look at each play area and the features that made them so special.
Nursery Playground
Walking onto the first playground, we were instantly greeted with the vibrant sight of artificial grass surfacing, with some unique designs added on top with Blue Funturf. The staff explained how the new surfacing not only brought a new sense of life to the play area, but they found that the children felt a lot safer engaging in risk play, giving the little ones confidence to tackle new challenges.
For the children who wanted more of an adventure, the Play Builder Architect set was the perfect opportunity. Promoting problem solving and creative thinking, this freestanding piece of play equipment had become a firm favourite amongst the little ones, with teachers even stating how they try to incorporate it during outdoor lessons for a more exciting experience.
On the other side of the playground, a section of the area was marked out with timber edging and filled with play bark. On this area, our famous Mud Kitchen stood proud beside a Mud Box and a Mud Kitchen Island. This area helped children engage in both imaginative play and sensory play, transporting children into an environment which encourages exploration and expression.
With children in nursery, play time provides a fantastic opportunity for rest and reflection, which is why Wesley Methodist Primary decided to include our Freestanding Story Telling Chair and a Small Playhouse. Not only do these pieces of equipment provide a safe area for children to rest, but they also give children the opportunity to escape into new imaginative worlds through role play.
Overall, the nursery play area featured:
- The Pentagon Essential Mud Kitchen
- A Mud Box
- A Mud Kitchen Island
- A Freestanding Storytelling Chair
- The Play Builder Architect Set
- An Acorn Self-Select Store
- A Small Playhouse
- A Sand Table on Wheels
- 70m² of Artificial Grass
- 4m² of Blue Funturf
- 20m of Timber Edging
- 26m² of Play Bark
Reception Playground
With the other playground being located beside the nursery playground, we quickly noticed how our Bow Top Fencing had been used to safely separate the two play areas. The staff explained how the fencing had created two distinctive areas for the two different age groups to play safely.
Similar to the previous play area, artificial grass surfacing had been used, with simple Red Fun Turf graphics to create a vibrant play space. Featuring a play bond area as well, the structure of the area look very similar. However, we noticed a small tarmac area had our Road Markings placed on top to create an area for children to use their tricycles and scooters safely.
Wanting to achieve a similar effect to the nursery playground, the reception playground featured many similar pieces of play equipment. From Mud Kitchens and Mud Kitchen Islands to Freestanding Storytelling Chairs, the area provided children with a variety of activities to engage in. However, there were a few distinctive differences.
Staff explained the importance of providing more unique physical challenges to reception children to help with their physical development and prepare them for KS1. As a result, they opted to have the Get Set Go Pennine Set and the Rockies. Both of these freestanding products allow children to make their own obstacle course, allowing them to dictate the difficulty and creativity of it.
To add a more unique perspective to the playground, the teachers also explained how the Blue Dual Freestanding Stage provided children with the opportunity to develop their performance skills and self-confidence. Not only could the stage be used for performances, but it made a fantastic spot for outdoor reading lessons.
Overall, the new reception play area featured:
- A Mud Kitchen
- A Mud Box
- The Rockies Dynamic Balance Blocks
- The Get Set, Go! Blocks Pennine Set
- A Blue Dual Freestanding Stage
- Four Small Moveable Artificial Grass-Topped Seats
- A Sand Table with a Lid
- An Early Years Freestanding Water Wall
- An Acorn Self-Select Store
- A Freestanding Storytelling Chair
- An Interactive Chalkboard Panel on Wheels
- 72m² of Artificial Grass
- 4m² of Red Funturf
- 20m of Timber Edging
- 26m² of Play Bark
- 17m of Thermoplastic Roadway Markings
- Two Zebra Crossings
- Numbered Parking Bays 1-5
Reflection
Working with Wesley Methodist Primary School has been a real pleasure for our team. From the very first conversations, it was clear how passionate the staff are about creating the very best outdoor experiences for their EYFS children, and we loved being part of that journey.
Seeing how confidently the children now use the space and how positively the staff spoke about the changes reminded us exactly why we do what we do. We believe that thoughtfully designed outdoor areas can have a huge impact on children’s wellbeing, learning and enjoyment, and this project was a wonderful example of that in action.
We wish Wesley Methodist Primary School every success as their pupils continue to explore and enjoy their refreshed play spaces. We hope the new area brings years of fun, creativity and happy memories, and we are proud to welcome the school as a valued member of the Pentagon Play family.
