The Customer
St Columba’s Catholic Primary School in Knowsley work hard to make sure that their school environment is inviting, engaging and a positive place that their pupils want to be!
In fact, their values include the words ‘Inspire, Motivate, Achieve’.
To this end, it was crucial to make sure that their outdoor play space shared the same inviting and stimulating qualities, so they contacted Pentagon Play to give it a revamp.
Their Objectives
When St Columba’s first contacted Pentagon Play, they were keen to revitalise their early years space into a bright, lively, and exciting space where little learners could be excited to go.
Over time, this project grew into a larger development improving the active play offering for the whole school.
The central elements that this project revolves around were:
Remodel the Early Years Area with playground markings, including a trike track
A KS2 Play Space for the older pupils to replace the empty space
Active Play- Possibly a Trim Trail
Our Approach
Outdoor Learning Consultant, Ian Wood, was thrilled to support the school on this project, supporting the different areas of the development and offering sage wisdom and advice on how to best use the space.
In the early years space, Ian did include a 39 metre Roadway Track, complete with a Roundabout Sign, Thermoplastic Speed Limit Signs and 6 Parking Bays. This realistic trike track is ideal for pupils to scoot around, telling their own imaginary stories, and building their understanding of the real-life world in the process.
Within this space, Ian also advised om the inclusion of both Get Set, Go! Blocks-The Mendips Set and Up & Under Blocks (Ramp and Stair). Both of these products are ideal for supporting early climbers as they are low-level, making it a comfortable space for less confident climbers to experiment. Children can comfortably test their abilities, learn new skills and grow with confidence.
This environment also includes a Small Playhouse with seating on both sides and a chalkboard panel at the back. Children can use this sheltered space year-round, no matter the weather, for imaginative role-play and storytelling.
For the Active Play project, Ian implemented one of our brand-new climbing frames, The Whinlatter Forest Circuit.
Featuring 12 individual challenges connected into one large circuit, The Whinlatter Forest Circuit is an exciting challenge for many pupils as they hop on and off the climber at the range of entry and exit points, choosing which elements they would like to try.
This climber is lower than some, meaning that it still offers all the adventure of the larger climbers, yet with some more security, inviting pupils to be more experimental with their skills.
We love seeing this new climber at St Columba’s Catholic Primary School.
The Results
The new play spaces at St Columba’s look excellent and meet all of the objectives laid out at the beginning of the project.
The children themselves took the time to tell us exactly how they felt about the new space.
“We usually come out twice a week, but it’s used from Monday to Friday by a different class every day.”
“It makes you more fit and strong.”
“I like climbing on it and making my own fun on it.”
If you would like to redevelop your outdoor playspace just like St Columbas Primary School, contact us here to get your FREE quote!