Teamwork Takes Play To New Heights

The children, staff and parents of Warren Road Primary School in Orpington, Kent, certainly exercised their minds as well as their bodies in raising money towards the refurbishment of one of their playgrounds. By organising a range of events over the year they managed to raise an astonishing £14,000 towards the installation of a range of trail equipment and safety surfacing, opened in autumn by the Mayor of Bromley. As well as supporting the PTA by turning up to the numerous events organised and spending their hard earned cash, the parents also contributed an amazing 92,000 Sainsburys Active Kids vouchers which the school put towards the equipment.

"The phenomenal hard work put in by the parents and staff has enabled the school to provide a challenging play area for children of all abilities that can be used all year round" Mrs Meckiff, Head Teacher of the large Kent Primary School, told those at the official opening of the playground. The children were so excited at the prospect of the new play area that they sang a song to celebrate the opening.

In addition to the colourful and innovative play equipment, the scheme also included an enhanced quiet area with shade providing pergolas and an elliptical stage with seating for both formal outdoor drama lessons and informal role-playing by pupils at breaks and lunchtimes. The children were involved in the project from the outset. A competition was held to design a playground with equipment that the children found stimulating and provided the best play value, rather than what just looked good.

Fawns worked in a consultancy capacity to ensure the children took into consideration the relevant guidelines, and transformed their ideas into vivid 3D designs that captured everyone's imagination. We then supplied and installed not just the equipment but also the wetpour safety surface, which provided the colour to stimulate the children's imagination. The area provides a forum for the children to exercise body and mind, enhancing hand to eye co-ordination and honing motor skills crucial to their development.

A 2004 N.O.P World study showed that improved school grounds lead to enhanced attitudes amongst pupils to learning, a dramatic increase in the numbers of children enjoying their time at school, a reduction in bullying, antisocial behaviour, accidents and long term improvements in children's health and wellbeing.  As a result of the PTA, pupils and staff working together, along with the support of the parents, it was a winning combination - Children enjoy an enhanced playtime experience, Teachers get a happy classroom ready to learn and Parents get healthy, if somewhat exhausted, sons and daughters at the end of the day.

Manor Infant School Promotes a Team Ethic

When the Head Teacher of a local infant school, Manor Infants in Farnborough, got in touch with us with an ambitious plan to transform an under utilised area of her school grounds, we quickly realised it would require all our experience and expertise to successfully complete the project.

The school, with assistance from the School Landscapes Project group and the planning department of Hampshire County Council, were looking to create a multi-sensory area which would provide a myriad of colours, textures, sights and opportunity not just for play, but quiet areas for peer interaction. We came up with a variety of designs which were tweaked until it was agreed that the mixture of materials and equipment made for an inspirational proposal on paper. The challenge for us was to ensure it met everyone?s expectations.

The finished garden was opened by Mrs Patricia West, Chairperson of the County Council, with some fantastic singing and dancing performances by the children in celebration. As you can see from the pictures the area has been brought alive by the combination of innovative materials, colours and an intelligent use of space to maximise the play opportunities and create the ultimate play time experience for the children, fuelling their imagination and incorporating variety in the activities offered.

Cranmer Trail Opened by VIP

When Cranmer Primary School in Mitcham, Surrey wanted a new trim trail as part of one of their key aims to provide a variety of experiences to help all the children to become fit and healthy, they knew exactly where to start. Fawns had already supplied both play equipment and outdoor furniture to the school back in 2003 so they were well aware of the quality and high level of service we could provide. We visited the school to put together designs based on the space available, and had follow up meetings with the school and student council to ensure they were happy with the range of equipment.

It was then a case of raising the money, for which the parents, carers, children and staff at the school worked extremely hard. They managed to raise over £10,000 via various sponsored events, family fun days, quiz nights and Jamaican raffles. At the official opening of the trail the children who raised the most money were presented with prizes, and once Siobhan McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, officially cut the ribbon, thrilled children representing every class in the school took to the trim trail, delightedly demonstrating the apparatus and their ability to use it sensibly and imaginatively.

Deputy Head Sally McNaughton said of the new area "The children are thrilled with the trim trail and love to use it. There are so many pieces of equipment that it provides elements of challenge for all ages, even adults"!

Fulbridge Primary School, Peterborough

Empowering Pupil Voice Through Play!

Teachers at Fulbridge Primary School have witnessed a noticeable improvement in pupil behaviour and confidence as a result of playground equipment installed by Fawns Recreational Services.

From years two to six each class at the Peterborough School has a representative who participates in the school council.  When asked what they would like to put their fundraising budget towards the school council vote was unanimous.... playground equipment that would brighten up their playing field.

The children wanted a piece of equipment that would appeal to all the ages in the school - five to 11 - challenging areas for the older child but with easier low level sections for the younger children. 

Deputy Head, Caroline Dingle comments: "Once the school council had put their request forward, I searched the internet for play equipment that would fit their criteria and put each one to them.  The Excalibur by Fawns was their favourite and we arranged a consultation meeting where the children discussed their ideas with the area manager from Fawns."

The children participated in the entire decision making process - from the theme of the tower unit, to the colour of the panelling and the type of surfacing. Ms Dingle adds: "The children thrived on the responsibility and took ownership of the project."

As a result of the Excalibur being installed the school operates a class rota to ensure each child is able to use the equipment and as a result teachers have witnessed a vast increase in communication and teamwork among the children.  The Excalibur also stimulates imagination for all ages while they enjoy the physical challenges.

Holbrook Primary School, Coventry

During the consultation process the Play Consultant arranged a

visit to a local school where Fawns had recently completed a

similar project - giving the children an opportunity to experience

the quality of equipment first hand.

As a result the school and the local community are now benefiting from a safe and secure multi use play area with a variety of equipment to suit all ages, both during term time and the holidays.

Headteacher Kath Greenway commented: "This has been a fantastic project for the children - seeing the funding chart go up and up as a result of their hard work was very rewarding for them.  It has also made them understand that money doesn't grow on trees!  Playtimes are now a lot of fun and  - with the help of the children - Fawns have designed a playground which keeps all the children entertained."

"The team at Fawns were brilliant - the installation and the aftercare we received was fantastic."

Parsonage Farm Nursery and Infant School, Farnborough

Swinging from monkey bars and pretending to be pirates - children at Parsonage Farm Infant and Primary School are enjoying their new playground while learning a valuable lesson that all good things come to those who wait!

The school's original play equipment was worn and dated so each class discussed what they wanted and designed their dream playground - with the help of brochures from specialist companies.

One of the brochures came from Fawns Recreational Services and Paul Hales the Area's Play Consultants was invited into the school to discuss the children's requirements - and provide them with the much needed information on cost!

With some funds already in place through parent's fundraising the children quickly came up with ideas to help raise the additional needed to buy their equipment.  To help them visualise their ongoing achievements they also assembled a 'Blue Peter' style chart which increased with the amount raised.

Their efforts soon paid off and Fawns installed their dream playground - complete with Viking Long Boat and Tower to unleash the children's imagination and Trim Trail with monkey bars offering older children a more challenging environment.

Finally it was decided that the play area would be set on all weather Durascape Outdoor Carpet allowing the children to use the play equipment all year round.

Headteacher Peter Dalby commented; "The school boasts a lovely big playing field which remained unused for half of the year due to weather conditions, however the Fawns play equipment has given the children a new aspect to their break times.  The project has been a great success and proved extremely popular with all the children."

"We were very pleased with the level of service provided by Fawns - they were adaptable to the demands of the children and incorporated their requests into the final design."

King Edwin School, Mansfield

With rainy days making their big open playing field out of bounds, children at King Edwin Primary School decided to put funds towards making their school field more accessible.

Following the efforts of previous school councils funds were made available to the children - and the decision was made to make their playtime more appealing - come rain or shine!

Headteacher Peter Dalby supplied the children with a series of brochures from play equipment companies, and - after shortlisting their favourites - Fawns were invited to discuss the schools requirements with both teachers and children.

The children participated in the entire decision making process and worked with the Play Consultant from Fawns to design their ideal play area. During the consultation period the children decided upon a Pirate Themed Trim Trail, which would incorporate a Pirate Traverse Wall, Scramble Net Log Climber, two Pirates Dens and a Pirate Boat.  The Trim Trail was personalised to create the Pirate Theme by utilising Fawns HDPE* panels - which allow them to produce bespoke designs and colours.

The Wold Primary School, Hull

With a vast empty playing field, which had once fallen victim to the 2007 floods, children at The Wold Primary School were keen to utilise the space with play equipment.

Having witnessed the installation of a Fawns Trim Trail within the school's Key Stage 1 playground the school council asked the Board of Governors for money to spend on designing their own playground.

Armed with additional funds, raised through their own fundraising efforts, the children set about coming up with a design for a playground themselves.

A Play Consultant from Fawns was invited in to work with the children in bringing their design to fruition. One of the children's main priorities when choosing a Trim Trail was that it needed to be challenging enough to promote healthy exercise - which was compliant with the Healthy School's Award they were working towards.

Following the installation of their own Trim Trail, which incorporated a Rope Wall Climber and Monkey Bars, the children have drawn up a timetable to ensure that all pupils are able to have an equal turn on the equipment - which in turn has resulted in harmonious teamwork!

Head Teacher Andrew Jackson commented: "It has been delightful to see the children work so hard towards their goal and now they can enjoy the benefits of the Trim Trail - whilst working towards their Healthy School Award."

"As a previous customer of Fawns I was very impressed with the level of service we received, the quality of products and the organisation of the installation - and once again they didn't disappoint."

The Grange School, Bedford

With children of different ages and abilities teachers at The Grange School were looking for play equipment which would both challenge and provide a safe play environment.

The Bedfordshire based school caters for children between the ages of 5 and 16 who have moderate learning difficulties.

After seeing Fawns at the Education Show in Birmingham the school invited a Play Consultant in to discuss their requirements.

With recommendations from Fawns' Play Consultant the Grange School decided upon a combination of low and high level timber trim trail equipment.

Since it's installation the Grange School has reported that the equipment had been utilised for a multitude of activities - and not just for the children - with staff using it for their training day!

Bernie McGee from The Grange School, commented, "With such a wide range of ages and abilities to take into consideration we needed play equipment which was not only safe, but challenging.  The Trim Trail has been the perfect solution for us and it has proved extremely versatile. The children have developed their team working skills and it has helped to improve their confidence."

"We were very impressed with the level of service we received from Fawns and the efficiency of the delivery and installation of the equipment, they left no mess! We would definitely recommend them."

Kempston Rural School, Bedford

Children at a Bedfordshire school finished the school year with something a bit better than a gold star of certificate... a brand new playground!

As a 'Well Done' for helping the school achieve an 'Exceed' in their Ofsted report pupils at Kempston Rural School  were treated to a range of new playground equipment to help bring out their creative side!

With funds already in place through fundraising efforts the school council, along with help from the teaching staff, set about creating their dream playground.

Having worked with Fawns in the past a Play Consultant was called in to discuss their requirements and plans were quickly drawn up.  An existing area was resurfaced with Duralawn, a cost effective all weather surfacing, and to encourage creative play an Outdoor Classroom, come stage was installed along with Musical Panels, a Pirate's Den and Pick-Up Sticks (4).

Key to the success of the school is their ability to empower the pupils and the Pirate's Den now doubles as a 'buddy bench' - if a child feels lonely they sit on the bench to grab the attention of a nominated school 'Buddy'.

Mrs Stanbridge, Headteacher of Kempston Rural commented: "The equipment has proved a great success and the children are developing not only their imagination but their growth motor skills through the Pick-Up-Sticks."

"We received fantastic service from Fawns, they kept us informed every step of the way and the installation team were brilliant!"