A Bigger Better Ourdoots Playground for Chadsmead Primary School

After lots of saving and fund-raising events, the pupils of Chadsmead Primary School in
Staffordshire now have their new outdoor play equipment.

Playforce, the premier provider of playground equipment for schools, had already created an outdoor playground area for the infant section of the school in Lichfield, which was such a success the Wiltshire-based company was invited back to create a physical and mental challenge for the juniors.

Until now the youngsters had spent playtimes on one of two tarmac areas linked by a hill. With the new timber trail obstacles, instead of just walking between the two, they can climb, jump and swing to and fro.

"As part of the school's health promoting policy, designed to give children more opportunities for exercise during the lunchtime, morning and afternoon breaks, we were looking for outdoor play equipment apparatus that was well constructed, safe to use but which would also provide a physical challenge for our pupils," said head teacher Lester Davies. "We have been delighted with the two installations that Playforce have erected at Chadsmead and decided to use their expertise again."

"One piece of playground equipment the school really wanted was a high climbing challenge for the most active older children," explained Playforce sales consultant, Sam Flatman. "The one we built also provides a 'den' underneath a cargo net full of upper body strength and hand to eye coordination challenges. And if the staff want to keep fit they can use it too - unless they're wearing heels!"

Other pieces of timber trail provided for the school include: a hanging rope traverse, a Burma bridge and rubber posts, all useful for upper body strength, motor skills, role-play and hand-eye co-ordination; a web traverse, which combines a climbing challenge with the need for co-operation skills, and a rock 'n' roll log.

All the childrens play equipment has been created using woodland colours to blend in with the surrounding area, including the all-weather surface, which is olive green.

Sam, aged 10, said: "We really like our playground equipment and we now have more things to do at break time on our outdoor playground."

Staff, parents and pupils are so happy with the new outdoor play equipment they have ordered an outdoor classroom, which will be installed during the coming months.