New Playground Equipment Inspires Respect and Responsibility

Award winning playground equipment installed at a Kent primary school has inspired respect and responsibility in the pupils as well as making play times more fun.

Head teacher of English Martyrs RCP in Rochester, Maureen Pearson, explained that she was surprised but delighted with this response.

She said: “We knew the children would love all the new playground equipment and it would add an extra dimension not only to play but also to learning, but it seems to have created an extra link with the school as well.”

Mrs Pearson explained that the school is used by other organisations outside school hours and that the children are genuinely angry if they think the other groups have not treated the playground equipment with respect and care.

“They are proud of their school play equipment and have a real sense of ownership,” explained Mrs Pearson.

Staff, parents and pupils had worked together to choose the best play equipment for the school playground makeover - opting for an award-winning Wiltshire-based company, Playforce, to create a whole new play wooden playground equipment environment for the children.

Playforce is dedicated to designing children’s playground equipment environments that supports learning and develops children’s minds and bodies through fun.

The company prides itself on the ability to create play time areas that stimulate children’s imaginations and improve social behaviour at the same time as stretching their muscles. Each piece of playground equipment is designed to work on developing specific areas of the body and motor-skills as well as prompting the children to create new games, strategies and imaginary worlds.

The finished result at English Martyrs school, using both the playground and the school field, includes two gazebos – used both as sheltered play areas and outdoor classrooms – a train and carriage, a pirate ship, a trim trail made up of a series of challenging obstacles and a set of toadstools.

“The children aren’t just happy, they are really grateful as well,” explained Mrs Pearson. “Several of them have come to thank me personally for organising the school playground equipment make-over, which is lovely and I can’t wait to pass on their comments to all those who have been involved in the project.

“Initially we hoped the wooden playground equipment would help us all make full use of our facilities and make playtimes more fun.  What we have ended up with has already provided so much more.”