St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Canterbury
When St Thomas of Canterbury began planning their new early years outdoor environment, they weren't simply looking to replace old equipment. They wanted to rethink how their outdoor space worked, creating an environment that would encourage independence, inspire imaginative play and adapt alongside the curriculum throughout the year.
Working together, we developed a shared vision for the space, removing outdated equipment and transforming the area into a flexible learning environment where children can access resources independently and where practitioners can easily refresh the provision to reflect new topics and interests.
For Carol Booker and the team, having someone who truly understood what they wanted to achieve made all the difference.
"Rachel just got our vision straight away. She was incredibly knowledgeable, and we developed such a positive working relationship throughout the project. We genuinely enjoyed the whole process of working with Phoenix Play."
Carol Booker, Headteacher
One of the biggest priorities was creating an environment that put children in control of their own learning. Since the installation, that's exactly what's happened.
The self-select store has become one of the most valued features of the space, giving children the confidence to choose the resources they need, use them with purpose and take responsibility for returning them once they've finished. It's a simple concept that's had a huge impact on independence and the way children engage with outdoor learning.
"The development has completely changed how the children use the space. The self-select store has been amazing because the children take ownership of their learning. They choose what they want to play with, use it purposefully and then put everything away before moving on."
The thoughtful details have made a difference too. Chalkboard labels on the shelving have created meaningful opportunities to reinforce phonics and early reading skills, allowing literacy learning to become a natural part of children's outdoor play.
The imaginative play opportunities have been just as popular! From mixing muddy masterpieces in the mud kitchens to digging, building and discovering in the sand pit, every area encourages creativity, collaboration and exploration.
The playhouse has quickly become a favourite too, inspiring role play, mark making and teamwork as children create stories, solve problems and learn through play together.
For St Thomas of Canterbury, the experience wasn't just about the finished environment, it was about the journey too. From the initial design conversations through to installation, collaboration was at the heart of the project. Our installation team ensured every detail was completed to the highest standard, treating the space with the same care and pride as if it were their own.
The transformation has given the school a space that supports child-led learning today while offering the flexibility to evolve for years to come.
With future developments already being planned across the school, Carol has no hesitation about who she'll be calling next.
"We would absolutely work with Phoenix Play again. Once we've finalised our premises plans, Phoenix Play will be called to support us.".
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