Avanti Meadows, Bishop's Stortford
Setting the Scene
Avanti Meadows, is an inclusive school that provides a warm, friendly and engaging learning environment for children from all backgrounds and walks of life. The school is part of the Avanti Schools Trust. Opened in 2021 they have extended their educational offering to include a brand new nursery which opens this month.
With this in mind they wanted to create an inspiring and physical play space that worked well within the current space, making use of the natural grass and undulations of the area where possible.
Project Scope
The wish list included a trike track, a slide, and an area for storytelling. There was a dip in the ground that is for drainage, and they wanted to utilise this space in the design.
For added safety, fencing was required along the back of the playground to block off the steep hill at the back of the play space.
Playground Design and Customisation
Georgia, our Playground Consultant, and Joe, our Playground Designer, worked together to design a play area taking into account the current space and the schools wishes. "Firstly, we put in an age-appropriate tower with a slide - we chose a double tower with 0.6mH and 0.9mH platforms and bonded rubber mulch as the surface. The building is a purpose-built, brand-new building, so we wanted the surfacing to look natural to fit in with the grass play area as well as provide critical fall height properties required for the tower.
For the drainage dip in the ground, we created a bridge over the dip, making it a feature. This required a bespoke design from our Product Design team.
We created a storytelling area for small focus groups to learn, perform or tell stories to each other.
For the trike track, we opted for thermoplastics, so it is flush with the ground. We discussed different options with the school, such as a wet pour track, however we settled on thermoplastics as both parties felt this would be safest for the Nursery children."
Environmental Considerations
Bonded rubber mulch is made from recycled tyres and the colour choice fits in well with the natural surroundings. We have utilised natural grass where appropriate.
Impact on Children
We can't wait to hear what the children think of their play space when they join the Nursery this month! Premises Manager, Andy Loader, commented "We are really happy with the work that has been carried out, it looks great and I know the children will enjoy it. The installation team were fantastic, very easy to work with with and extremely professional on a school site. Many thanks to them."
Can we help design your playground?
We love working on all sorts of playground projects, big and small. Get in touch to arrange a free appointment where we can see the site, talk through your ideas and present you with a free design.
Related stories
Twynyrodyn Community School, Merthyr Tydfil
Twynyrodyn Community School, a vibrant primary setting with its own nursery provision, has a long-standing relationship with Phoenix Play.
Wellington Prep School, Taunton
Wellington Prep is a bright and vibrant school in the heart of Wellington, near Taunton. We were contacted and asked to replace their old Trim Trail and brighten up their blank tarmac space...
Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, Swindon
Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is a new school in Swindon near the Shaw Ridge retail park. It has only been open since 2016. The school initially asked for artificial grass in parts of the playground...
Ashton Gate Primary Academy, Bristol
Ashton Gate Primary School is one of the many large primary schools based in the centre of Bristol. The HT was looking for more challenging equipment for their KS2 children...
Westlea Primary School, Swindon
Design of a playground to develop communication skills, social skills and emotional regulation in this ASD unit.
Avanti Gardens School, Bristol
Zoning of an extremely large space to provide a play space that could enrich learning and play.
Avanti Gardens, Bristol
We supported this returning customer to create a fun active trim trail that offered a level of challenge to all children at the setting.
Bitham Brook Primary School, Wiltshire
The school called on Phoenix Play to replace some rotten play items and create an inspirational new playground following a major extension project.
Cherhill Primary School, Wiltshire
An existing customer, Cherhill Primary again wanted to use Phoenix Play to replace the existing Trail with some new surfacing and Trim Trail items which would support physical development and be exciting for the children, whatever their age or ability.
Mulberry Park Academy, Bath
Mulberry Park had very clear objectives when they started their playground development project - to increase the amount of physical activity and enhancing creativity by providing an outdoor classroom.
Fawley Infant School, Southampton
This Inspire Learning Partnership, a Multi-academy Trust school approached us to create a play space that met with their six learning values: independence, collaboration, thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence and spirituality.
St Peter's CofE Academy, Chippenham
Transformation of KS1 and KS2 playgrounds to include climber, tunnel & mound, storytelling area and unique maze seating.
Burbage Primary School, Wiltshire
We have a strong relationship with Burbage Primary School in Wiltshire, built through a succession of successful playground development projects. Following on from the installation of new all-weather pathways at Burbage by us, we were asked to put forward our proposals to redevelop an underutilised area of the playground to create a trim trail.
Hayesdown First School, Frome
The First School wanted to create a striking, fun space to encourage active play in their pupils who had been affected by the COVID lockdowns.