Butlers Court School, Beaconsfield
Butlers Court School is a thriving primary community school for children aged 4 to 11. Having partnered with the school before, they reached out to Mark Slatter once again for his design expertise and understanding of how outdoor spaces can enrich learning and play.
The school had an underused corner of their playground that often became muddy and unusable. They wanted to transform this area into a hybrid shelter and outdoor classroom that would give children a place to gather, learn and enjoy shade or shelter throughout the year. Protecting a large nearby tree and its established root system was also an essential part of the brief.
The school already had some ideas, and Mark worked closely with them to refine and enhance the concept. Using his experience in outdoor learning environments, he recommended several additions to maximise the space. The final design upgraded the canopy specification to include a decked base, built-in benches, glazing, a whiteboard and a chalkboard. The shelter was positioned so it connected directly to the existing hard-standing path, allowing children and staff year-round access without walking across muddy ground.
To safeguard the tree roots and guide children safely around the area, Mark suggested sleeper retaining, which also created a natural seating ledge that can be used during break and lunchtimes.
The installation required real craftsmanship due to the natural slope of the site. Our skilled installers used their carpentry knowledge to integrate the structure into the gradient, ensuring a safe and seamless finish.
On returning to see the installed space, Mark was delighted to see several groups of children enjoying the outdoor classroom, and demonstrating its endless opportunities for discovery creativity and cross-curricular exploration in the fresh air. From writing to playing games, to just simply sitting and chatting, the children at Butlers Court are really enjoying their new space.
Steve Butler, Headteacher, shared positive feedback and commented that the structure provides an even larger teaching space than expected. The new outdoor classroom has turned a once dormant space into a valuable and inviting area for learning and social time.
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