St Bartholomew's School, London
St Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School is a two-form entry school located in the heart of Lewisham. With no school field and only small areas for planting scattered across site, outdoor space here is at a premium - and every square metre needs to work hard.
Before their transformation, the playground was a plain sheet of tarmac with scattered, ad hoc markings. There were no opportunities for climbing, no places to explore, and little to inspire active, imaginative play. The school wanted something completely different - a multi-purpose outdoor space that could be used all year round for playtimes, PE lessons and wraparound care.
Their vision was clear: they wanted a playground that felt exciting the moment the children stepped outside. A place that sparked curiosity, encouraged communication, and inspired movement and collaboration across all ages and abilities.
Rachel at Phoenix Play worked closely with Headteacher Daniel Meyer, School Business Manager Josee Santarossa, and the pupils themselves to develop a design that reflected the school’s ambitions for the project. Together, we created a vibrant, connected space that balances physical challenge, imaginative exploration, and calm social zones for reflection.
The striking new Chestnut Climber sits at the heart of the playground, delivering that all-important wow factor. Its open-ended design offers a huge range of excitement for every year group, providing multiple access point for early climbers building balance and coordination, to great levels of engagement for those confident adventurers testing their grip strength and agility. The climber has even been incorporated into science experiments, with classes using its height to drop parachutes from and explore gravity and motion!
A series of trail items were added to complement the climber, supporting children who are still developing confidence, while enhancing motor skills, strength and coordination. The trail’s mix of challenges and heights gives children different ways to move, balance and stretch - all while learning through play.
We also installed a large wooden gazebo, providing a calm, sheltered space that serves as both a social hub and an outdoor classroom. It’s also used for small group reading and quiet time for all children, particularly benefiting those with SEND.
The surfacing design ties the whole space together, using zones of bright, soft play grass and a bold blue running track that encourages “walk and talk” or daily mile activities. To soften the urban landscape, we added natural timber edging around existing trees, creating seating and adding greenery - transforming the tarmac into a space that feels welcoming, vibrant and full of life. A real change from the grey space it was previously!
The new space has quickly become an integral part of school life. Teachers and sports coaches now use the area for PE, Occupational Therapy and cross-curricular learning, incorporating the equipment into lessons that develop fine and gross motor skills.
The playground also offers opportunities for communication and language development, teamwork, and social-emotional learning. Children can now challenge themselves, collaborate with friends, or simply take a quiet moment in the gazebo - making the space inclusive for every child.
As a Church of England school, relationships and trust are core values at St Bartholomew’s, and these principles shaped every stage of the design and installation. Having worked with Phoenix Play before, the school built on the existing relationship with our Outdoor Learning Consultant Rachel and trusted our team to deliver something special once again.
A key decision was to complete the installation during term time so that the children could be part of the journey. They watched the playground come to life, asked questions, spoke with the installation team, and saw their fundraising and design ideas take shape day by day - building anticipation and a sense of ownership along the way.
The transformation has been a huge success. The once-grey tarmac space is now full of laughter, movement and colour. The children have rediscovered the joy of outdoor play, developing strength, balance and confidence as they explore. St Bartholomew’s now has a playground that isn’t just a place to play - it’s a dynamic, inspiring learning environment that encourages movement, connection and joy every single day.
Headteacher Daniel Meyer shared:
“I think we’ve definitely achieved our objectives. We really wanted to have a playground that was exciting for the children - and that’s exactly what we’ve got! The children were so enthusiastic from the point of installation right through to when they could finally use the space. Their responses have been phenomenal. We’ve heard things like ‘This is the best day of our life!’ and now playtime is something they’re looking forward to as opposed to just being part of the day.”
School Business Manager Josee Santarossa added:
“We’d have no hesitation recommending Phoenix Play. They are professional, they really listen, and they’re always at the end of the phone to answer questions. Their understanding of children and the power of play is second to none.”
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