Importance of Zoning
Being in the Zone
Children, parents and staff can all benefit from imaginative zoning of the outdoor playground space.
Every member of the school community should have a vested interest in how best to develop the outdoor playground space. The outside is often an untapped resource, which can add immense value to the good work going on inside.
Often the cost implications of a major project can ‘put off’ potential development, however it is possible to gradually transform the school grounds by zoning the space into different areas of interest or activity. Zoning enables one priority area to be completed at a time, whilst retaining an overall grand plan. This avoids a hotch potch of a school site evolving where no master plan is being worked towards. 
Some of the zones that can be created are essential, such as an area that encourages health and fitness. However many of the zone designs will be dependent upon how much space there is available. It is often the schools with a limited space that have the most to gain from careful zoning. A positive outdoor playground environment can be created on a small site ‘doubling up’ the zones, so that they offer different opportunities for the whole school community.
It is essential that everyone (the PTA, school council, site manager, lunchtime supervisors) get involved in the planning of the zones, as this will increase ownership of the project, help with fundraising, and keep up momentum and enthusiasm over time. So often one person takes a lead in the project like the head teacher or an active member of the PTA. However, the danger of this is that if the head leaves, or the parents child moves, the entire project can lose momentum. Major outdoor developments require long-term support from the school community for maximum results.
Children are being encouraged to spend more time learning outside the classroom, making it of paramount importance to get these zones right. The zones need to enrich a child’s day, whilst remaining as flexible a resource as possible, to give the maximum opportunity for outdoor learning.
It is best to start with a zone that will benefit many different people. A zone that will be used every day, by many children would be a good place to start. The zones detailed below tend to be the most popular, but the list is not exhaustive, and there is always the opportunity for children to come up with their own imaginative and bespoke zones, as they could have a great idea that just hasn’t been designed yet!
The Zones that best enhance the school outdoor playgrounds are:
Activity Zone
A safe, fun area of activity that encourages upper body strength, balancing and co-ordination skills, whilst promoting fitness and health. We recommend a Timber Trail or Play Tower.
Quiet Area/Shading Zone
A quiet zone normally with shade, where an entire class can be taught outside to encourage working within the environment. We would recommend an Outdoor Classroom or Imaginative Seating.
Travel Plan Zone
A zone that promotes parents and children walking or riding bikes to school. This zone may involve a parents waiting area, which could double up as the outdoor classroom. The waiting area needs to be designed to keep parents dry whilst waiting for their children. A school with extensive grounds can also utilise the entire school field by providing pathways for bikes and pedestrians. The travel plan encourages children to adopt a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Zone
Early Years Foundation Stage are encouraged to have their own area for play, this should promote imagination, communication, sand, water and role-play, with the opportunity to support the national curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage Zone should be able to provide support for outdoor learning as much as free play. We suggest an outdoor learning area (this is a big subject and we would be happy to show you specific designs that are available to you). These designs are very much led by the headteacher or nursery/foundation stage co-ordinator.
Performance/Drama Zone
This area encourages free play, structured performance, dressing up, drama lessons outside, and the opportunity for children to rehearse, devise theatre, act and direct. We suggest outdoor performance platforms with seating and staging, for all budding actors and actresses!
Growing, Digging and Planting Zone
We would normally recommend planters filled with herbs and flowers, a vegetable garden, sensory surfacing and pathways, with rose arbours. Both the children and the PTA can really get involved with the design of this zone.
Ball Games/Football Zone
This zone can be a nuisance because it takes up so much space, but it doesn’t need to be. A Ball Zone should give you the opportunity to play netball and football, this is usually a tarmac or all-weather surface area where there is no fixed equipment. This zone should have equipment stored in a shed such as skipping ropes and bean bags etc. We would suggest a Multi-Use Games Area or Ball Court.
It is very important that the entire school has ownership of the project. It is absolutely essential to have an expert involved in taking these ideas forward. Whilst cost is always an issue, the most important factor is that any new zones are strong, durable, and safe for the children to use.
