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A playground designed to challenge, inspire and feel completely their own.
Back in late 2020, Debbie from the Marchant-Holliday School got in touch with us about creating a brand new play area for their school.
The brief was simple, but important. They wanted somewhere that didn't feel like another classroom. A space the pupils could call their own, where they could climb, explore, play and let their imaginations run wild.
When we visited the school in March 2021, we were shown an open plot tucked behind the school, surrounded by woodland and with a lovely, private atmosphere. A pretty good place to build a playground!
The woodland setting made for a beautiful backdrop with plenty of character, including tree roots and buried rocks. Fortunately, groundworks are a big part of what we do, so a little preparation was needed before the playground could take shape.
Being a special education school they had a particularly strong focus on the pupils and what they would enjoy. Their aim for this playground was for it not to be another classroom, but a completely separate environment that the children could see as their own space.
The school wanted a good level of challenge, particularly when it came to climbing, but with safety firmly in mind. Getting that balance right meant understanding the pupils, the school and how they wanted the space to be used.
We also wanted the playground to feel like it belonged there.
We took inspiration from the surrounding landscape, and particularly the nearby King Alfred's Tower. The final design brings together a range of different play experiences.
At its heart is a large multi-play area with a huge variety of accessories; from towers, bridges and cargo nets to rock walls, gangplanks, and a tic-tac-toe activity panel, there are plenty of different ways to climb, move and explore. Alongside this sits an adventure ship, adding another layer of imaginative play, while an extended rock wall gives children another challenge to get stuck into.
The result is a playground with something for everyone, from children looking for a big climbing challenge to those who prefer to explore at their own pace.
After a little back and forth with the school, the design was finalised and we were ready to get building.
Installation took place during the summer holidays, giving our team the perfect opportunity to get stuck in without disrupting the school day. It was a big project to build, with plenty of groundwork and a lot of equipment to bring together over the three weeks.
The roots, rocks, and summer heat certainly kept us on our toes, but the surrounding trees provided some welcome shade and, with plenty of water and sun cream, the team powered through.
Then came the best bit. By the time the holidays were over, the playground was ready and waiting to welcome the pupils back. A completely new space to climb and explore, all nestled into its woodland surroundings.within the woodland that inspired it in the first place.
The key standout for me is just how pleased the Marchant-Holliday School was, and still is, with this project. They told us how happy they were for choosing Home Front and that they knew that our kit would compliment their school. I think that’s what sticks out, just how much trust they put in us from the first inquiry. - Luke Jay, Managing Director
For us, this project sums up a lot of what we love about what we do.
It looks great, it works brilliantly for the children and, most importantly, it feels like it belongs exactly where it is.
A challenging climb, a ship to explore, a forest to play beside and a pretty spectacular view. Not bad at all.
