Penryn Primary Academy

Schoolscapes UK recently completed the Penryn Primary Academy Playground Project, aimed at creating a vibrant and inclusive outdoor space for students with special educational needs (SEN). The primary school was looking for a comprehensive redevelopment with SEN playground equipment to create a dynamic environment specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children with special educational needs.

Challenges With The Existing Playground

Penryn Primary Academy, part of the Aspire Academy Trust, wanted to transform a tired outdoor area into a vibrant and inclusive ARB (Area Resource Base) space for their students. The school was facing several challenges with their existing playground, which was no longer suitable for their students with various abilities. The space was outdated and lacked the necessary features to support the development and engagement of all students. Here are the key challenges the school was dealing with:

• Outdated playground design: The existing playground was old and not designed to meet the needs of modern educational and developmental practices
• Lack of accessibility: The playground was not fully accessible, especially for students who use wheelchairs, limiting their ability to participate in outdoor activities
• Limited play opportunities: The area offered very few engaging and interactive play options, which are crucial for the physical, social, and emotional development of students
• Underutilised space: The playground was underused because it didn’t offer the facilities and features needed to attract and engage students, leaving much of the area neglected
• Need for inclusivity: The school needed a space that was not only safe and functional but also inclusive, providing equal opportunities for all students to play, learn, and grow together

How Did Schoolscapes UK Help Penryn Primary Academy?

Schoolscapes UK, with 25 years of experience in supplying high quality outdoor playground equipment, collaborated closely with Penryn Primary Academy to address the challenges. The focus of this project was the Area Resource Base (ARB), a specialised unit within the school that supports around 10 pupils aged 4-11 years who have a statement of special educational needs. The ARB is designed to integrate these students into the mainstream primary school environment, offering tailored support while allowing them to participate in regular classes when appropriate. With our expertise in creating inspiring outdoor designs for every budget, our team was fully equipped to fulfil their requirements. Here’s how we achieved the transformation:

• Polycarbonate canopy: A large, durable canopy was installed to provide year-round shelter, allowing children to enjoy outdoor activities regardless of the weather
• Wheelchair accessible inclusive roundabout: To ensure inclusivity, a specially designed roundabout was installed, allowing all children to participate in play, including those who use wheelchairs
• Hexagonal play tower: A multi-functional play tower was introduced, offering various levels and activities to challenge and engage students, fostering physical development and social interaction
• Traversing wall: The addition of a traversing wall encourages climbing and balancing, helping children build strength and coordination in a safe environment
• Water play items: Interactive water play elements were incorporated, providing sensory stimulation and encouraging discovery, exploration and experimentation
• Wetpour rubber surfacing with inlaid roadway: The entire area was resurfaced with rubber wetpour, ensuring a safe and accessible surface for all users

Benefits Of The New ARB Playground At Penryn Primary Academy

The newly designed playground at Penryn Primary Academy offers numerous benefits:

• Inclusive play: The playground accommodates children of all abilities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in play and learning activities
• Enhanced learning environment: By integrating educational elements into the play area, the space supports the school’s curriculum, making outdoor play both fun and educational
• Safe and accessible design: The use of safe surfacing and accessible equipment ensures that the playground is a secure and welcoming environment for all students
• Improved social interaction: The diverse range of play equipment encourages children to interact, cooperate, and build friendships, enhancing their social development

Our goal was to design and build a space that would not only meet these needs but also integrate educational elements that would support the school’s curriculum, making the playground a place for fun and learning.

Book Your Free SEN Playground Consultation With Us

Having worked with thousands of schools and local authorities across the country, Schoolscapes UK designs, manufactures, and instals creative, dynamic, and curriculum-linked outdoor spaces that inspire curiosity among children of all ages and abilities. Do you have any playground design, ideas and projects that you need help with? No matter your design aspirations, we can work with you to create a personalised playground that fits perfectly within your school.

Please contact our team today at 01209 823181 or email us at play@schoolscapesuk.com, and we’ll be happy to work together to bring your vision to life.