The Customer
Nestled in Weston Coyney, Park Hall Academy is a proud member of the St. Bart’s Multi Academy Trust, known for its strong values of Honesty, Enjoyment, Achievement, Respect and Teamwork. Principal Georgina Frost leads a dedicated team focused on inspiring confident, curious, and resilient learners. With a curriculum designed to spark curiosity and nurture personal growth, Park Hall creates a welcoming environment where every child can thrive.
Park Hall Academy’s latest Ofsted report really shows off what makes the school special, praising Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Early Years provision, while giving the overall Quality of education a Good rating. It’s clear the school is all about helping every child shine, making it the perfect place to bring some exciting new outdoor learning spaces to life.
Park Hall Academy set out to transform two key areas: an Early Years outdoor classroom directly outside the EYFS unit and a KS2 playground focused on physical development, imaginative play, seating and a performance stage. With each project supported by a £100k budget, the vision was clear—to create vibrant, stimulating environments that complement the school’s ethos and encourage exploration, collaboration and confidence in all children.
Meeting the Customer
Principal Georgina and Vice-Principal Jessica were browsing online, hoping to find a company that could help bring their playground ideas to life. That’s when they discovered the Pentagon Play website and started exploring all the exciting outdoor learning options available. Inspired by what they saw, they decided to get in touch.
Soon after, they were contacted by Lewis Cranston, one of our outdoor learning consultants. Lewis shared a range of creative ideas for both the Early Years outdoor classroom and the KS2 playground.
One of the things that really impressed Georgina and Jessica was the expertise and creativity of our outdoor learning consultants. Lewis, along with the rest of the Pentagon Play team, know exactly how to turn a blank space into a vibrant, inspiring playground.
From clever layout ideas to practical advice on surfacing, play equipment, and seating, they bring years of experience to every project. Their guidance ensures every design not only looks fantastic but also supports learning, physical development, and imaginative play, giving schools like Park Hall the confidence that their outdoor spaces are in expert hands.
Impressed with everything they heard, the pair thought it would be a great idea to make use of our free site visits and consultations by inviting Lewis to the school's grounds and talking through the project in more detail.
Their Objective
Arriving at the outdoor areas, Georgina and Jessica welcomed Lewis and guided him first to the EYFS space. Georgina explained that one of the school’s main priorities was to make the area far more imaginative and engaging for their youngest learners.
The team wanted to create clearly defined play zones that would spark creativity, encourage social interaction, and support physical development. These zones would allow children to explore freely and express themselves through meaningful, child-led play, helping to lay strong foundations for learning.
As they continued around the KS2 playground, Jessica shared the school’s vision for a space that encouraged physical activity, imaginative play, and collaboration. They highlighted plans for colourful gym equipment, a performance stage, and plenty of seating where children could relax, socialise, or watch school performances.
Another key focus was updating the worn-out surfacing across both areas. Georgina explained that refreshing the surfaces with safe, vibrant, and durable materials would not only improve safety but also brighten the spaces and make them more inviting for the children.
Our Approach
With all the objectives agreed and ideas shared, Lewis returned to our Middlewich HQ, ready to get to work! He teamed up with our talented designers and play experts to start turning Park Hall Academy’s vision into reality. Georgina and Jessica were kept fully in the loop, receiving regular updates and progress reports so they could see exactly how the plans were taking shape.
At Pentagon Play, we love making the design process exciting for schools. Our in-house visualisation team quickly got to work creating bright, detailed 3D designs that showed exactly how the EYFS and KS2 spaces would look once complete. These visualisations were a fantastic way to help the St. Bart’s Multi Academy Trust understand the project, bringing everyone on board and making them even more enthusiastic about the plans.
While the school shared their excitement with stakeholders, our skilled manufacturing team were busy behind the scenes. Every piece of play equipment was crafted from top-quality materials and carefully checked to ensure it met our high standards for safety, durability, and fun.
Even after completing thousands of playground projects across the UK, we still get a thrill from helping schools create something truly special. At Pentagon Play, it’s not just about installing equipment, it’s about creating outdoor spaces where children feel inspired, confident, and ready to explore, learn, and play to their heart’s content!
KS2 Areas
As soon as everything was ready, our team got straight to work on site. The first task was removing the old surfacing and any existing play equipment, clearing the way for a fresh start. With careful planning and plenty of hands-on effort, the area quickly transformed into a clean, blank canvas, ready for the exciting new designs to take shape.
With the site cleared, attention turned to the KS2 playground. Our crew set up the space to begin installing the new gym equipment, colourful seating, and performance stage. Every step was carefully coordinated to ensure a smooth process, making sure that when the children returned, they would have a safe, vibrant, and inspiring space to enjoy.
Physical Development Area
Once the KS2 site was cleared, our team got to work transforming the space into the ultimate Physical Development Area. At the heart of the playground, we installed the Helm Crag Climber, a real challenge for the children to test their strength, coordination, and confidence. Surrounding it, soft shockpad tiles were laid to keep play safe while encouraging energetic climbing, jumping, and balancing activities.
Next, we added the Forest Roll Over Bars, perfect for developing upper-body strength and agility. This simple yet versatile piece gives children the chance to swing, hang, and stretch their limits, all while having fun with friends. Alongside the equipment, we installed vibrant Playturf and Funturf surfaces in bright blue and red, helping to zone the area visually and giving children plenty of room to run, skip, and explore safely.
To bring the playground together, a 6-metre octagonal gazebo was added, providing a colourful shelter for quiet activities, group games, or just a shady spot to take a breather. Its central location encourages social interaction and gives the children a cozy hub in the middle of all the action.
We also introduced a bespoke MUGA with integrated recessed goals, ideal for team games, football matches, and friendly competitions. The 4G sports surface and crisp white line markings make it easy for children to enjoy organised sport while developing coordination, teamwork, and tactical thinking. An adjustable basketball post completes the MUGA area, giving children even more ways to get active and improve their ball skills.
Every corner of the space was designed with movement and energy in mind. From the shockpad zones around equipment to the expansive sports surface and colourful turf, the area encourages children to challenge themselves physically, build confidence, and enjoy healthy, active play every day.
The Physical Development Area is now a vibrant hub where fun, fitness, and friendship come together. With climbing, swinging, running, and ball games all in one space, Park Hall Academy’s KS2 pupils have a playground that truly inspires them to get moving and make the most of their outdoor time.
Seating & Performance Area
Once the Physical Development Area was underway, our team turned their attention to the second KS2 zone: the Seating & Performance Area. The goal here was to create a space that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and community, giving children somewhere to gather, perform, or simply relax with friends.
At the side of the space, we installed an amphitheatre with grass-topped seating, perfect for group lessons, storytelling, or impromptu performances. Surrounding it, large moveable artificial grass-topped seats offer flexible seating options, allowing children to create their own social circles or set up their own little stages for fun role-play and creative games.
To inspire imaginative play, Forest Floor Learning Dens with windows and benches were added. These cosy hideaways provide children with a sense of ownership over their space, encouraging quiet reading, collaborative projects, or just a calm corner to chat and unwind. Complementing the dens, a set of den-making posts lets children build and customise their own spaces, sparking creativity and teamwork as they explore different ways to play.
For even more opportunities to shine, two freestanding dual stages were installed, giving pupils a chance to perform, present, or practice for assemblies. Whether it’s acting, singing, or simply stepping into the spotlight, these stages make the area feel lively and fun, while building confidence and communication skills.
Soft Playturf and bright blue Funturf were laid around the equipment to visually define the different zones while providing safe, durable surfaces for running, jumping, and exploring.
Now complete, the Seating & Performance Area has become a vibrant hub for creativity, collaboration, and relaxation. It’s a space where children can explore, perform, socialise, or simply take a moment to enjoy being outdoors, making the KS2 playground a truly dynamic and inspiring environment for everyone at Park Hall Academy.
EYFS Outdoor Provisions
The EYFS playground received a complete transformation, creating a magical outdoor classroom where little learners can explore, create, and discover. At the heart of the space sits a bespoke timber canopy, providing a sheltered environment perfect for all-weather learning. With its sturdy design and thoughtful enclosure, children can move freely between indoor and outdoor activities, staying dry on rainy days while still enjoying fresh air and open space.
To spark creativity and imaginative play, a giant playhouse was installed alongside a performance stage with a chalkboard and den-making area. These features encourage storytelling, role-play, and collaborative games, giving children opportunities to express themselves while developing social skills. Complementing these spaces, wall-mounted giant chalkboards and whiteboards offer endless opportunities for drawing, mark-making, and experimenting with letters and numbers.
Hands-on learning was a big focus, with activity stations such as a Play Builder Engineer Set, Tuff Spot tables, and an interactive paint panel on wheels. These resources allow children to explore construction, problem-solving, and creative arts in a fun and safe environment, encouraging curiosity and building confidence.
Water play also got a big upgrade with a dedicated Water Wall, allowing children to explore cause and effect while developing fine motor skills and sensory experiences. Alongside this, a freestanding Communication and Language Zone helps to support speaking and listening development, giving children a dedicated space to engage with each other in playful, meaningful ways.
To keep the area safe yet visually stimulating, soft artificial grass and dynamic play baseworks were laid throughout. Bow top timber fencing with secure gates neatly defines the space, providing a safe environment where children can explore freely, while still being fully supervised.
From structured learning to imaginative play, the new EYFS provisions combine practical, educational, and fun elements to create an outdoor space that’s engaging, inspiring, and safe. With so many opportunities to explore, collaborate, and learn through play, the youngest pupils at Park Hall Academy now have a space that truly brings their outdoor classroom to life.
The Results
A few weeks after the installation, Lewis and the Pentagon Play team visited Park Hall Academy to see the transformation first-hand and capture some photos. From the moment we arrived, Mrs Eldridge and her fantastic staff greeted us with warm smiles, sharing their excitement about the new outdoor spaces and how much the children were enjoying them.
Walking through the playground, it was clear just how much had changed. The KS2 Physical Development Area was buzzing with energy, with children climbing, balancing, and playing sports on the MUGA and Helm Crag Climber. The Seating & Performance Area had already become a hub for collaborative learning, performances, and creative activities, while the EYFS provisions were alive with imaginative play, messy exploration, and hands-on learning under the timber canopy. Every zone had its own character and purpose, giving children the freedom to explore, be active, and express themselves.
Staff shared how delighted they were with the versatility of the new equipment, from freestanding seating options and water play equipment to the play house and play builder sets. The variety of surfaces, from artificial grass to soft play baseworks, had also made a big impact, offering safe, practical, and visually appealing spaces that encourage confidence, creativity, and social development at every age. Parents, too, had been full of praise, impressed by the thoughtfulness and creativity of the design.
Overall, the project has been a huge success. The children are thriving, staff are inspired to take learning outdoors, and the playground has quickly become a vibrant, engaging part of school life. We wish Park Hall Academy the very best as they make the most of their incredible new outdoor spaces!
