Newcastle-under-Lyme School Multi-Zone Playground!

Posted on 27 March 2026 by Ben Eden
Newcastle-under-Lyme School Multi-Zone Playground! Main Image
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Newcastle-Under-Lyme School in Staffordshire is a vibrant and forward-thinking school where outdoor play is seen as an essential part of the day, not just a break from learning. With pupils of all ages sharing the same outdoor spaces, the school wanted to create an environment that felt exciting, inclusive and full of variety, giving every child something to enjoy.

Having previously worked with Pentagon Play, the school already understood the impact a well-designed playground can have. So when the time came to revisit their outdoor provision, they were ready to take things even further. Headteacher Kathryn Thomson was keen to transform the existing areas into something more dynamic, introducing clear zones that would support different styles of play while making the playground feel more engaging and fun.

With a budget of £100,000 and three distinct areas to develop, the vision was ambitious. One space would focus on active play, another on quieter, more relaxed activities, and the third would become a dedicated MUGA for sports and group games. The aim was to create a balanced playground that catered to a wide range of interests, abilities and energy levels across KS1 and KS2.

Working closely with Outdoor Learning Consultant Lewis Cranston, the school explored a variety of ideas and possibilities. With a strong foundation of trust already in place, they were open to suggestions, giving Lewis the creative freedom to design a playground that would bring energy, structure and excitement to every corner of the space.

Creating Space for Every Kind of Play

Speaking with Kathryn Thomson, Lewis Cranston quickly got a sense of just how important this project was for the school. With pupils of different ages all sharing the same outdoor areas, the challenge was not just to improve the playground, but to make it work better for everyone. The space needed to feel inclusive, engaging and easy to navigate, no matter the age or ability of the children using it.

One of the biggest challenges was creating clear zones within a shared environment. The school wanted three distinct areas, one for active play, one for calmer activities and a MUGA for sports, but they also needed the whole playground to feel connected rather than divided. Striking that balance between structure and flow was key, ensuring children could move naturally between spaces without confusion or congestion.

Another important consideration was variety. With such a wide age range across KS1 and KS2, the playground needed to offer something for everyone. Some children would be looking to burn energy and take on physical challenges, while others would prefer quieter spaces to relax, socialise or engage in imaginative play. The design needed to reflect this, creating a playground that felt exciting without being overwhelming.

Finally, there was the expectation that comes with being a returning customer. Having already seen what Pentagon Play could deliver, the school were keen to push things further this time around. They wanted something that felt fresh, fun and full of character, while still being practical, durable and built to last. With these goals in mind, Lewis began shaping a design that would bring the playground to life in a whole new way.

Bringing Three Play Zones to Life

With a clear vision in place, Lewis Cranston began shaping the playground into three distinct but connected zones, each designed to offer a different style of play. Working closely with Kathryn and the team, the focus was on creating spaces that felt unique in their purpose while still flowing naturally together as one cohesive playground.

To help bring the ideas to life, our visualisation team produced detailed 2D and 3D designs that allowed the school to fully picture the transformation. These visuals made it easy to see how the active, relaxed and sports areas would sit alongside one another, helping staff imagine how pupils would move between zones and use the space throughout the day.

Behind the scenes, planning moved quickly to ensure each area was carefully considered and tailored to its purpose. The active play zone was designed to challenge and energise, the quieter space to support social interaction and downtime, and the MUGA to provide a dedicated area for structured sports and team games. Every element was chosen to complement the others, creating a balanced environment that catered to a wide range of needs and preferences.

When installation began, the transformation unfolded across all three areas at once. Our team worked efficiently and with great attention to detail, ensuring each zone was brought to life exactly as envisioned. As the final touches were completed, the playground began to take on a whole new identity, full of variety, energy and opportunity, ready to be explored and enjoyed by every child in the school.

Playgrounds Full of Energy and Choice

As the final touches were completed and the playground came together, it quickly became clear that each zone was working exactly as intended. What had once been a shared space was now a well-balanced environment, where different types of play could take place side by side without competing for attention.

The active play zone soon filled with energy, as children climbed, balanced and challenged themselves throughout breaktimes. Staff noticed pupils growing in confidence, with many keen to test their abilities and support one another as they explored the equipment. The space naturally encouraged movement and physical development, giving children a positive outlet for their energy.

At the same time, the quieter zone offered a welcome contrast. Children could step away from the busier areas to relax, socialise or take part in more imaginative play. Staff shared how valuable this balance had been, allowing pupils to choose how they spent their time outdoors and ensuring that everyone felt comfortable within the space.

The MUGA quickly established itself as a focal point for sports and group activities. Pupils were organising games, practising skills and enjoying friendly competition in a dedicated area designed just for them. Together, the three zones created a playground that felt connected, engaging and full of choice, giving every child the opportunity to play in a way that suited them best.

Zone 1: Active Play Zone

The first zone was designed to get children moving, and it didn’t take long for it to become one of the busiest areas on the playground. At the heart of the space, the Kielder Forest Circuit and Forest Roll Over Bars encouraged pupils to climb, balance and challenge themselves, helping to build confidence and coordination through active play.

Alongside the fixed equipment, the inclusion of freestanding resources such as the Play Builder Architect Set and Get Set Go Blocks added a creative twist. Children were able to design their own obstacle courses, adapting the space to suit their ideas and working together to build new challenges each day. This flexibility meant the zone was constantly evolving, keeping play fresh and engaging.

The large thermoplastic roadway and sports markings brought another layer of activity, with children riding, running and creating their own games across the space. Staff shared how this area had become a real hub of energy, with one noting that it “gives the children a positive outlet to be active while still encouraging teamwork and imagination."

Overall, this area included:

Zone 2: Social and Relaxed Play Zone

In contrast to the high energy of the first zone, the second area offered a more relaxed and social environment where children could slow things down and enjoy a different style of play. As we walked into the space, it was clear that this zone had been designed with balance in mind, giving pupils a place to connect, unwind and engage in activities at their own pace.

Seating played a big role in shaping the atmosphere here. With picnic tables and planter benches spread throughout the area, children naturally gathered in small groups to chat, play games or simply take a break from more active play. The addition of table tennis tables also brought a light, social form of competition, with pupils taking turns and encouraging one another in a friendly and inclusive way.

The Crinkle Crags Climber and Forest Roll Over Bars added just enough physical challenge to keep the space engaging, without taking away from its calmer feel. Meanwhile, the Acorn Self Select Store encouraged independence, allowing children to access and organise their own play resources. Staff shared how much they valued this area, with one noting that it “gives children the chance to reset, socialise and enjoy play in a more relaxed way, which has made a real difference to breaktimes."

Overall, this area included:

Zone 3: Multi Use Games Area

The final zone brought a completely different energy to the playground, creating a dedicated space for sport, teamwork and friendly competition. As we approached the new Multi Use Games Area, it was clear that this would become a go to spot for pupils who love being active and playing games together.

The MUGA provided a clearly defined area where children could fully focus on sports without interruption, allowing games to flow more naturally. Whether it was football, group challenges or quick matches between friends, pupils quickly took ownership of the space, organising teams and making full use of the goals and markings. Staff shared how valuable it was to have a dedicated sports zone, as it helped keep play structured while encouraging participation from a wide range of pupils.

The artificial grass sports surface played a big role in making the space so accessible. Its all weather design meant children could use the area throughout the year, giving them consistent opportunities to stay active regardless of conditions. The clearly marked lines also helped introduce more structured play, supporting skill development and boosting confidence during both lessons and breaktimes.

Overall, the MUGA added a new dimension to the playground, complementing the other zones perfectly. It provided a space where energy, teamwork and enjoyment could thrive, helping children build physical skills, confidence and a love for sport in a safe and engaging environment.

Overall, this area included:

More Than Just a Playground

Projects like this are always special, but Newcastle Under Lyme School felt particularly memorable. From the very first conversations with Kathryn Thomson, there was a genuine excitement about doing something different, not just improving the playground, but completely rethinking how the space could be used by children of all ages.

What stands out most is how naturally the playground now supports choice. Instead of one space trying to do everything, pupils can shape their own play experience depending on how they feel in the moment. Some head straight for the action, others gravitate towards quieter corners, while many move between zones as their play evolves. That sense of freedom has brought a new rhythm to breaktimes that simply was not there before.

Staff spoke about how the changes have helped create a more balanced and positive environment, where different types of play can happen at the same time without clashing. It is not just about having more equipment, but about having the right spaces in the right places, something that has made a noticeable difference to both behaviour and enjoyment.

For us, it is been incredibly rewarding to return and build on our previous work with the school. Seeing the playground come to life in such a dynamic way is exactly what these projects are all about, and we are proud to have helped create a space that will continue to grow with the pupils for years to come!



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