Transforming SEN Outdoor Play at Highfield School!

Posted on 06 March 2026 by Ben Eden
Transforming SEN Outdoor Play at Highfield School! Main Image
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Highfield School in Ossett is a local authority maintained school that provides specialist education for pupils with severe learning needs. With a strong focus on supporting physical development and active learning, the school recognised an opportunity to transform its outdoor environment to better meet the needs of its pupils.

Through funding provided by Wakefield Council, the school secured £240,000 to develop a new playground space that would encourage movement, exploration and active play across multiple age groups. The goal was to introduce gym and physical development equipment, safety surfacing and fencing to create a safe, structured environment where pupils could build confidence through movement.

The old playground highfield school had, with natural grass surfacing and no equipment.

Following an enquiry, Jordan Dale, one of our Outdoor Learning Consultants, arranged a site visit to discuss the project in detail with Ms Pam Sayle, the school’s Business Manager, and Headteacher Mrs Rebecca Thompson. During the visit, it quickly became clear that the playground needed to support a wide range of abilities across EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two pupils.

Rather than creating a single play space, the school wanted the playground divided into five distinct zones, with four areas dedicated to individual classes and one shared area for general play. With a clear vision and strong Local Authority backing, the project began to take shape as a carefully planned outdoor environment designed to support both structured activity and free exploration.

Project Challenges and Design Considerations

During the initial consultation, Jordan visited Highfield School to meet with Ms Pam Sayle and discuss the project in more detail. This site visit provided an opportunity to understand how the playground was currently being used and how a redesigned space could better support pupils with severe learning needs.

One of the main priorities was ensuring the playground encouraged physical development while remaining accessible and safe for a wide range of abilities. The equipment needed to offer meaningful physical challenge, helping pupils develop coordination, balance and confidence through active play.

A concrete pathway beside an area of natural grass with a border of dead grass.

Another key consideration was the layout of the space. The school required five separate play areas, including four zones for individual classes and one shared playground for general use. Creating these defined areas would allow different groups to use the playground at the same time while maintaining clear supervision for staff.

Fencing and safety surfacing therefore became essential parts of the design. By clearly zoning each area and introducing durable wetpour surfacing beneath active play equipment, the playground could support both structured activity and free play in a safe, well organised environment.

Design and Installation Process

With a clear understanding of the school’s goals, the project moved into the planning stage. Jordan worked closely with Ms Sayle and the team at Highfield School to develop a layout that would divide the playground into five distinct zones while ensuring each area supported active, purposeful play.

Behind the scenes, multiple Pentagon departments collaborated to bring the design together. Our visualisation team helped map out the proposed layout, while estimating and project coordination teams ensured the plans remained practical and aligned with the school’s £240,000 Local Authority budget.

A 3D visualisation of the proposed playground project at Highfield School.

Once the design was finalised, our operations and installation teams prepared the site for the transformation. Gym and active play equipment, safety surfacing and fencing were carefully installed across each of the five zones, creating a structured outdoor environment that would be ready to support pupils as the new school year began.

The Impact on Pupils and Staff

By the time the installation was complete, the playground at Highfield School had been completely transformed. What was once a single outdoor space had evolved into five carefully designed zones, each created to support different types of play, movement and learning for pupils across the school.

Featuring a total of over 135m² of Wetpour and 717m² of Artificial Grass, the new playgrounds provided a sense of vibrance and energy to the entire school! Not only was the surfacing delivering a safe environment for children to explore in, but the 156m of Bow Top Timber Fencing was also helping to keep children contained within the safe environments.

A drone shot showcasing the entire Highfield Primary playground project, showcasing the new surfacing and equipment.

The new layout allowed four individual class areas to sit alongside a shared general play space, giving staff greater flexibility when planning outdoor activities. This zoning also helped create a calmer and more structured playground environment, allowing pupils to explore equipment safely while teachers maintained clear supervision across the site.

For pupils with severe learning needs, physical development plays an important role in building confidence and independence. The newly installed gym equipment, safety surfacing and active play features were carefully positioned to encourage movement, balance and coordination while still providing a secure environment for exploration.

Each area of the playground now offers something different, from structured physical challenges to open spaces designed for free play and social interaction. Together, these zones create an outdoor environment that supports both structured learning and child led play throughout the school day.

Area 1 (RBa Class)

The first class zone was designed to encourage both sensory exploration and social interaction. Musical features such as the Individual Chimes and the Musical Triad introduced an engaging auditory element to the playground, allowing pupils to experiment with sound and rhythm in a way that feels both playful and calming. Instruments like these provide a fantastic outlet for self-expression while also supporting communication and cooperative play between pupils.

Movement and shared experiences were another important focus in this space. The Timber Swing with Group Seat quickly became a standout feature, giving children the opportunity to enjoy gentle movement together while building confidence and balance. For many pupils, this type of motion play can be both exciting and soothing, making it a valuable addition to the playground environment.

The RBa class features new wetpour and artificial grass surfacing, with a variety of installed and freestanding play equipment on top.

Natural elements were also incorporated to create a welcoming and flexible space. Straight Planter Benches and Weaving Panel Trellises added opportunities for creative engagement and quieter moments, while moveable artificial grass topped seats allowed pupils to gather comfortably during outdoor sessions. Combined with safety surfacing beneath the equipment, the area now offers a safe and stimulating environment tailored to the needs of the RBa class.

Overall, this area included:

Area 2 (NHu Class)

A key feature of the NHu class zone was the freestanding timber canopy, which created a welcoming sheltered space where pupils could gather, learn and play throughout the day. The addition of coloured roof panels in red, blue, green and yellow brought a vibrant feel to the area, allowing natural light to filter through in soft tones that brighten the space below. For many pupils, this colourful environment helps create a calm yet stimulating setting that supports both outdoor learning and quieter moments of engagement.

Beneath the canopy, the space offers flexibility for a variety of activities, giving staff the opportunity to use the area for small group learning, creative sessions or relaxed playtime. The shelter also ensures pupils can continue enjoying outdoor provision even in changing weather, helping maintain routine and consistency within the school day.

The NHu class' playground, with brand new artificial grass surfacing, with a freestanding canopy and a climbing frame.

Physical activity is encouraged through the nearby Bowfell Climber and in-ground trampoline. The Bowfell provides opportunities for climbing and coordination, helping pupils develop strength and confidence as they explore different routes across the structure. Meanwhile, the trampoline offers a fun and engaging outlet for movement, supporting balance, body awareness and sensory regulation in a safe and controlled way. Together, these elements create a balanced space that blends energetic play with calmer outdoor learning opportunities for the NHu class.

Overall, this area included:

Area 3 (VI Room)

The third zone was designed with physical development and therapeutic movement in mind, centred around a dedicated outdoor gym space. Equipment such as the Air Walker, Air Skier, Arm and Pedal Bike and Row and Ride introduced structured opportunities for pupils to engage in controlled, purposeful movement. For many children with additional needs, this type of equipment supports the development of coordination, muscle strength and overall body awareness while also encouraging independence during physical activity.

Outdoor gym equipment like this can play an important role in SEN environments, where movement is often closely linked with focus, regulation and confidence building. By allowing pupils to practise repetitive, rhythmic actions such as stepping, pedalling or pulling, the equipment provides both physical exercise and valuable sensory feedback. These activities can help pupils feel more settled and ready to engage in learning throughout the day.

The VI Room's new playground, with artificial grass surfacing, with sections covered in wetpour. These sections have gym equipment placed on top of them.

Alongside the gym equipment, Occupational Therapy Blocks were introduced to encourage climbing, balancing and stepping challenges that support gross motor skill development. The addition of artificial grass line markings also helps guide movement activities and structured games, creating clear visual cues for pupils navigating the space. Together, these features form a purposeful area that supports both therapeutic play and active physical development for the VI Room.

Overall, this area included:

Area 4 (SH/LF Class)

The SH/LF class zone was designed as a vibrant and welcoming space where pupils could enjoy both active play and quieter outdoor learning. At the heart of the area sits a freestanding timber canopy, providing a sheltered environment that allows children to spend time outside throughout the school day. The addition of coloured roof panels in shades of yellow, red, pink and blue brings a bright and uplifting feel to the space, with coloured light filtering through to create a stimulating yet comfortable atmosphere beneath the canopy.

This covered area offers flexibility for staff to use the space in different ways, from small group activities to relaxed play sessions. Nearby, features such as the straight planters help introduce natural elements to the playground, encouraging curiosity and giving pupils opportunities to interact with plants and textures within the outdoor environment.

The SH/LF Class Playground, with brand new synthetic grass surfacing, featuring a variety of active play equipment.

Active play is a key part of this zone, and equipment such as the Inclusive Roundabout and the Timber Swing with Group Seat quickly became favourites among pupils. The roundabout allows children to enjoy shared movement and social interaction, while the swing provides gentle motion that supports balance and sensory regulation. Alongside these, the In-Out Shapes encourage climbing, stepping and exploration, helping pupils build coordination and confidence through physical activity. Combined with safety surfacing beneath the equipment, the area now offers a safe, engaging space that pupils are naturally drawn to during outdoor sessions.

Overall, this area included:

Area 5 (General Play Area)

The general play area was designed as a shared space where pupils from across the school could come together to explore and enjoy active outdoor play. At the centre of this zone sits the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit, a large and engaging structure that encourages climbing, balancing and adventurous movement. With its varied pathways and elevated features, the circuit allows pupils to test their coordination and build confidence as they navigate different routes across the equipment.

For many pupils with additional needs, this type of physical challenge plays an important role in developing balance, strength and spatial awareness. The design of the Puzzlewood Forest Circuit allows children to move at their own pace, choosing how they explore the structure while building independence and resilience through play. The surrounding shockpad safety surfacing ensures that pupils can enjoy these challenges within a secure and supportive environment.

The general play area features a forest circuit installed on top of artificial grass, with the final third of the playground having wetpour surfacing and freestanding equipment.

Complementing the active play equipment, the area also includes Wigwams and a Sensory Arbour, creating quieter spaces where pupils can pause, interact with friends or enjoy imaginative play. Together, these elements provide a balanced outdoor environment where energetic exploration and calmer moments can sit side by side, making the general play area a welcoming space for pupils across the school.

Overall, this area included:

Supporting Physical Development at Highfield School

Working with Highfield School and Wakefield Council has been a fantastic opportunity to help create an outdoor environment that truly supports the needs of its pupils. With a clear focus on physical development, the new playground now provides a wide range of opportunities for movement, exploration and sensory engagement across five carefully designed zones.

From outdoor gym equipment and inclusive swings to climbing structures and sensory spaces, each area has been thoughtfully created to encourage confidence, coordination and independence. The combination of active play equipment, safety surfacing and structured zoning ensures that pupils can explore the playground safely while staff maintain clear supervision and flexible use of the space.

An image of the new Highfield Primary playground from directly above it.

This investment from Wakefield Council has enabled Highfield School to deliver a playground that reflects the importance of physical activity within specialist education. By creating spaces that support both energetic play and calmer moments of engagement, the school now has an outdoor environment that helps every pupil develop skills, confidence and enjoyment through movement.

We wish the staff and pupils at Highfield School many happy years enjoying their transformed playground and the opportunities it provides for learning, play and development!



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