Exciting New Playground Equipment For Children of Loddington CE Primary School.
When Playforce first visited Loddington CE Primary School in Kettering, it was apparent that although the school had made real efforts to enliven the limited space, it lacked play value to really fire young imaginations.
When Playforce first visited Loddington CE Primary School in Kettering, it was apparent that although the school had made real efforts to enliven the limited space, it lacked play value to really fire young imaginations.
Head teacher Sue Walters met with School Grounds Consultant Fran Brown of Playforce to discuss the project, “Our aim is that each child is cherished as a unique individual, happy, nurtured and cared for in a Christian way”.
“Our playground was quite bare, and we really wanted to provide outdoor stimulus as we hope to see the children playing happily and creatively”.
A special committee of children, parents, the Bursar, PTA and the Mums and tots playgroup was created to ensure everyone was involved in the project; with the PTA and the playgroup working hard to help with funding for the new playground equipment.
Fran worked closely with the committee, providing expert advice on the most suitable play equipment design for the space that would offer the most exciting and stimulating opportunities for play value.
Fran suggested a few key pieces distributed throughout the playground design to provide clearly defined areas for play. A shop counter play panel and chalkboard at one end of the playground encourage interactive social play, where the children can be creative and enjoy role play whilst developing their social abilities. A brightly coloured and robust rollover bridge is an invitation for young adventurers to explore, and a set of oversized rubber toadstools offers a fun area for meetings and imaginative play.
After the project was completed, we asked Sue how the children had responded to their new play environment; “The children love it – they play so creatively now, ‘shops’ and re-enacting fairy stories are the current favourites!”
The finishing touch to the school playground is a new hexagonal shelter, which creates a great space for learning outside the classroom and offers parents a place to sit and enjoy watching their children make the most of their last few minutes playing at home time!
