Springwell School Start Point, Sholing
Springwell School’s Start Point Sholing site is a dedicated EYFS provision for children aged 4 to 5 with complex learning difficulties. The setting sits in its own building, a short drive from the main school, and provides an essential stepping stone for children moving into the wider Springwell community. As a long-standing Phoenix Play customer, the school approached us again after a successful SEN project with our team, this time with a very specific and highly sensitive brief.
The school was creating a new class for children with significant and diverse needs, including conditions such as pica, high levels of dysregulation and behaviours that place them at risk of self-harm. Many of the pupils also live with autism, sensory processing differences and speech and language challenges. This meant the outdoor environment had to be reimagined as a completely safe, calm and engaging space with every potential hazard removed.
The existing playground contained elements that were not suitable for the children’s needs. Fruit-bearing trees, bushes and a grass mound all posed risks, either through the possibility of ingestion or by creating opportunities for unsafe climbing or self-injurious behaviour. With the site located close to a public entrance, the school also required a fully secure perimeter to protect pupils who may remove their clothing or attempt to leave the space during periods of dysregulation.
Working closely with school staff across several consultations, our design team created a fully tailored outdoor environment that prioritised safety without compromising on play, exploration or sensory experience. We removed the mound, three trees and several tree stumps, and installed a breeze block retaining wall to level the entire space. This not only eliminated risks and improved sight lines throughout the playground but also increased the usable play area by around 50 square metres.
A large canopy with coloured roof panels now provides shade, shelter and a gentle sensory element to support regulation outdoors. The fencing was upgraded to full-height, fully clad panels to ensure complete privacy and security. A new trike track and a bright, welcoming layout bring energy and enjoyment back into the space, while still meeting the children’s safeguarding needs.
To support the school’s desire for flexibility, we designed robust, heavier moveable items that cannot be thrown but can be repositioned to change the space depending on the children’s needs that day. The canopy also includes strong fixing points so staff can attach their own hammocks and swings to provide essential sensory regulation opportunities.
The final design supports key areas of development including physical skills, sensory processing and emotional regulation, all within an environment that feels vibrant, secure and nurturing.
The school is thrilled with the completed project, and the children now have a safe outdoor space where they can explore with confidence and enjoy meaningful sensory and physical play every day.
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