New Playground Equipment Exceeds Expectations for Greenhaugh First School
The high expectations of staff, parents and pupils of a small Hexham school have not just
been fulfilled but exceeded by their new playground equipment.
In fact the new timber trail is such a hit with the children that staff at Greenhaugh First School have trouble persuading them to go home at the end of the school day.
When it was decided to buy the outdoor playground equipment all members of the school hoped it would enhance learning, provide new and exciting play challenges and stimulate creativity.
Head teacher at the school, Amanda Lewis, called in the expert help of award-winning Wiltshire-based school playground equipment providers, Playforce, to create an outdoor playground environment that would live up to the dream.
"It's brilliant and so was Playforce," said Mrs Lewis. "Greenhaugh is a small school so we were able to involve the children, parents and governors, as well as the staff, in the decision making process.
"There was a fantastic range of playground equipment to choose from but I think the children did an excellent job with a little expert guidance from the Playforce consultant."
The end result is a challenging mind and body-stretching timber trail that includes a rock 'n' roll log, a climbing wall, stepping posts, a Burma Bridge, balancing beams and a swinging rope traverse.
Playforce prides itself on the ability to create outdoor playground equipment play areas that stimulate children's imaginations and improve social behaviour at the same time as working their bodies. Each piece of playground equipment is designed to work on developing specific areas of the body and motor skills.
Mrs Lewis explained that the playground equipment has already become a regular part of school life. It is used not just at playtimes, as first intended, but also during PE lessons and as part of the school's Fun Fit after school club. It is also hoped the trim trail will help Greenhaugh as it strives to achieve Healthy Schools Status.
"The children have already invented their own games using the outdoor playground equipment including time trails, completing it backwards, tag games and they also make it into a den," said Mrs Lewis. "I have used it as part of a team building exercise where the children had to work together in groups to carry a box over the trail without letting any feet touch the ground.
"Part of the school philosophy is to provide a stimulating environment and foster mutual respect and understanding. We believe the new playground equipment goes a long way to helping us achieve that."
