OUTDOOR SHELTER ACTIVE

Pentrepoeth Primary School

17/10/25

2 min read

Pentrepoeth Primary School sits on the outskirts of Newport and is known for its warm community feel and wonderfully well-behaved pupils. The school caters for around 420 children aged 4 to 11 and also has a thriving nursery provision that runs full-time equivalent places across morning and afternoon sessions.

Having worked with Phoenix Play before, the school once again chose our team to design their latest playground transformation. Headteacher Dean Thomas and Deputy Headteacher Richard Cleaves are both incredibly passionate about creating the best possible opportunities for their pupils, and they wanted to turn an underused 2–4 Yard into a lively, engaging space for active play and outdoor learning.

Before the project began, most children preferred to spend their time on the main yard. Now, the excitement has completely shifted, and the new play space is the place everyone wants to be!

A space for movement, challenge and growth

The main goal for the new playground was to give children a dedicated area for active play, where they could climb, balance and move with confidence. The design needed to encourage physical development while still supporting imaginative and social play. Therefore, at the heart of the space is a large climbing structure that invites children to take on new challenges, build grip strength and develop coordination as they climb higher. To complement this, we added a trail zone that includes roll-over bars for budding gymnasts and a rope beam that offers a gentler challenge for those still growing in confidence. Together, these features encourage children to build balance, strength and agility while having fun with friends.

We also included a gazebo that doubles as an outdoor classroom. It provides shade and shelter, creating the perfect spot for lessons, storytelling or small group activities.

Designed with the children, for the children

As with all Phoenix Play projects, collaboration was key. Our Outdoor Learning Consultant Beth met with the school council to discuss ideas and involve the pupils directly in the decision-making process. The children were given three design options to choose from, all within the school’s budget, and their feedback helped shape the final layout and equipment selection.

The completed playground supports a range of educational and developmental goals. The gazebo helps teachers bring maths and literacy outdoors, while the active play areas encourage teamwork, imagination and communication.

Building for the future

This project marks the latest step in a planned “dream scheme” – a long-term vision to transform more of their outdoor space. The success of this phase has already sparked excitement for what’s next, with staff and pupils keen to continue developing their play areas in partnership with Phoenix Play.

Testimonial

“The design process was absolutely amazing. The one thing I can’t recommend highly enough is how many times we came back to each other in terms of looking for the right ideas. Nothing was rushed, it was all really well thought through. There were lots of discussions about what we really wanted out of the project, and that time and care in understanding our needs was key. Phoenix Play created something special and unique for us as a result.

The installation process was great too. The team on site were knowledgeable, helpful, tidy and quick. They kept us informed every step of the way, and it was lovely to build such a positive relationship throughout.”