Endeavour Academy - Playground Imagineering

Endeavour Academy

We addressed the nursery and reception areas, aiming to bring about a significant transformation. The school wanted to establish two impressive “WOW” areas, which aligned with the curriculum requirements and cleverly tailored to fit within budget.

About the Project

Our focus was to revitalising the nursery and reception areas, striving to make a substantial impact. The school’s objective was to establish two standout areas, referred to as “WOW” zones, that align seamlessly with the curriculum and cleverly tailored to fit within their budget.

The school wanted a clear differentiation between the two age groups, illustrating a gradual progression in the complexity of the equipment. This approach was intended to foster natural development among the students.

Despite the school’s unconventional layout, we maximised an existing wetpour area, incorporating a small additional amount to meet BS EN1177 standards. This modification was tailored to complement the equipment and optimise the play space. Subsequently, we covered it with artificial grass, revitalising the area to create a distinct island within the playground. A similar transformation was applied to another area, fortunately a larger and simpler square, allowing for the incorporation of additional pieces of equipment.

In the Nursery Playground, we introduced a variety of Mini Trail Equipment, including the Tunnel Mound, Mini Swinging Steps, Mini Parallel Ropes, Set of 6 Stilts, Mini Slalom, and Mini Burma Bridge. These components aid children in enhancing their balance, fostering skills as they navigate the Burma Bridge and Stilts. Additionally, the equipment promotes the improvement of hand - eye coordination as children glide across the Swinging Steps and Parallel Ropes.

We installed further Mini Trail Equipment in the school’s Reception area as well as our Sherwood Clamber Stack which enables children to experience a form of natural play, as they navigate and climb around the structure. It contributes to the development of their strength and balance while also encouraging them to assess and manage risks.

Subsequently, we incorporated sleeper retention in all the designated areas to introduce diverse surfacing textures and establish specific play zones. Both playgrounds featured a messy play area installation, comprising of Mud Kitchen, Mud Store Planters, Natural Logs and Log Stepping Stones, Mushroom Table and Chairs, Menu Chalkboard and Scales. This type of play sparks children’s curiosity and encourages ‘child - led’ learning opportunities. Our Mud Kitchen allows children to collaborate with each other, improving their language skills as they describe their different processes and recipes. Using different kitchen tools and weighing scales, helps them develop their fine motor skills and basic math’s. A chalk board provides the opportunity for children to express themselves and develop their handwriting skills. Our Mushroom Table and Seats is not just a great place to socialise but to lay out everything they have cooked up together in the kitchen.

For more Messy Play opportunities we added in a Water and Sand Play Area. Both of the areas encourage children to take on hands on activities, mathematical and science discoveries with their classmates. They can interact with the natural materials and understand the natural world whilst refining their fine motor skills, in a contained area. In the nursery, we installed a water wall panel with a hand pump and fixed pivoting guttering, flowing into a water table. The reception area features a more advanced water wall with a hand pump, movable gutters, and accessories, also cascading into a water table.

We installed identical Banquo stages with Mushroom Seats, accompanied by fence-mounted music panels and Story Tellers Area. A stage and a Story Tellers Area encourages children to perform and read out loud in front of their peers as well as teachers, building their self esteem as they improve on their language skills. Musical Play Panels build the pupils curiosity, fine motor skills and to enhance their memory.

Messy Play Area with Mud Kitchen, Mud Store, Mushroom Table & Chairs, Menu Chalkboard and Sensory Planters

Nature Area with Mud Kitchen, Planter and Bird House

Fence Mounted Musical Play Panels

Mini Fitness & Adventure Trail – Tunnel Mound, Mini Swinging Steps, Mini Parallel Ropes ,Set of 6 Stilts, Mini Slalom and Mini Burma Bridge.

Sherwood Clamber Stack

Sand Play Areas with Stainless Steel Bowl, Sand Rail, Platforms & Scales

Stage Area with Chalkboard Backdrop and Mushroom Seats

Storytellers Chair with Mushroom Seats

Tunnel Mound

Water Play Areas with Water Wall/Water Play Panel and Tables

Thermoplastic Markings

“The children love their new playground it works so well whatever the weather! Our children absolutely love the sandpit and the bespoke treehouse! They especially enjoy building dens underneath the treehouse, turning it into their own little hideaway.”

Alison Cheetham, EYFS Lead, Higher Lane Primary School, Blackshaw Primary School

“Both playgrounds look so different! The children love it and are having a great time exploring their new equipment”

Julie Carrington, Business Manager, Handcross Park School

“It has now had two terms of busy use and still every day it makes me smile – and the children too. It is such a magical space with so much opportunity”

Jason Gayler, Head of Pre-Prep & Nursery, The Peterborough School “The design, equipment and overall service was of a very high standard.”

Chris Charlton, Bursar, Batley Grammar School

“I can’t tell you how happy we are with the work and how the plans have come to fruition, thank you to you and all the team at Playground Imagineering.”

Karen Dack, Business Manager

The Cathedral School

“Great value and a quick turnaround, the playground was transformed in just 3 days.”

Mrs Wiskin, Headteacher

Beaumont Primary School

“It was the best design and most competitively priced quotation… they really brought our ideas to life!”

Victoria Griffiths, EYFS Lead, Hindley Junior and Infant School

“The design and finished installation was exactly what we had in mind…the children love it!”

Steven Hyde, Site Manager, Holy Trinity Primary School “We love the bridge over the tunnel and more importantly, so do the children… it’s been a great success.”

Maggie Thomson, Business Manager, Urmston Infant School “Playground Imagineering’s bespoke climbing structure was the perfect solution to utilise an awkward space.”

Mark Doherty, Deputy Headteacher, Rupert House School

“Playground Imagineering’s initial design was excellent and they were happy to make the few tweaks we asked for to ensure we got exactly what we wanted. Not only did they deliver the design they also did it on time and to a very high standard. I have no hesitation in recommending their services.”

Mr Kim Rawlingson, Bursar, Avondale Primary School

“It was difficult to envisage what could be achieved with our long, narrow outdoor area. Playground Imagineering’s choice of equipment and well thought out design has completely transformed transformed the playground and utilised the space perfectly.”

Vicky Brown, Headteacher, St John’s Primary School “We have used Playground Imagineering for a number of projects and they have always exceeded our expectations.”

Mark Speakman, Headteacher, St. Thomas’s Primary School “A professional approach was taken throughout and our pupils are delighted with the new equipment.”

Sheryl Farnworth, Headteacher, St. Michael’s Primary School

“The new play areas have greatly enhanced our provision and provided our pupils with many hours of enjoyable learning and development opportunities. For much of the work, the children’s ideas have also been carefully incorporated by the Playground Imagineering team into the equipment and areas they have provided. The attention to detail has been greatly valued.”

Alison Hart, Headteacher, St. Hugh of Lincoln Primary School

“After obtaining three quotes for our playground project, we decided to go with Playground Imagineering for the following reasons: I was very impressed with their presentation and proposal as they planned the project with our needs in mind and I felt I was receiving a bespoke service rather than an off the peg solution. As a result the product matches our needs and that of the site perfectly. They were always professional, responsive and when changes were requested, they were dealt with smoothly and without question. I would have no hesitation in recommending Playground Imagineering.”

Mark Mountcastle, Headteacher