Manor Infant School, Farnborough, Hampshire

The staff at Manor Infant School wanted their pupils to see the playground as an extension of the classroom. They tell us how a new Poddely set has provided them with the opportunity to move freely between the two.

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Why did you want to develop your playground?
We’re always looking for innovative ways to encourage more outdoor play at our school and we wanted to put more of a focus on free flow and flexible play. We needed to find something that would allow our staff and pupils to move easily between the classroom and the playground as well as making the most of transitional space. That way we would be able to use our outdoor space as an extension of our school buildings.

What were the key elements that made Playforce stand out from other providers?
We were struggling to find a provider that could supply us with something that would meet all of our requirements but then we found Poddely sets by Playforce. The team at Playforce is creative and experienced. They knew exactly what we needed and knew that the Poddely set would be the perfect solution for our school. They showed us examples of the set in action and explained how it would benefit the children.

The Poddely set has given us the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and this variety has boosted the children’s motivation and productivity.

How are you using the space to deliver outdoor learning and educational play?
During lessons our Poddely set is used to enhance the learning experience. We take it outside to create designs for sand and water play without having to worry about the mess. During play times we encourage the children to use the equipment as they see fit. We’re very impressed with their creativity and their imaginations never cease to amaze us.

What are the biggest benefits you have seen for the children?
The Poddely set has given us the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and this variety has boosted the children’s motivation and productivity. They are inspired by their natural surroundings and the problem solving skills they have developed from the set are reflected across the curriculum. They’re now showing us what to do!

Can you share any practice insights you have gained?
We learnt never to doubt a child’s imagination. We show the children how the set works and the rest is up to their creativity. They’re always making something new and having that input gives them a sense of ownership of the equipment and they take care to put it away.

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