Quinton Church Primary School, Warwickshire

In search of a way to introduce more outdoor learning and play to their nursery pupils, Quinton Church Primary School wanted to develop a multi-purpose shelter in their playground. They tell us how the new sheltered space has encouraged variety and flexibility in the way they play and learn.
Why did you want to develop your playground?
To provide our nursery pupils with a space for outdoor learning and play, we wanted to develop a shelter that will be available throughout the year, whatever the weather. We felt that a multi-functional shelter would give us the opportunity to move freely between the classroom and the playground and deliver lessons and activities outside, come rain or shine.

What were the key elements that made Playforce stand out from other providers?
Playforce was the only provider that was able to create something completely unique to us. They designed a shelter that would suit our requirements and space down to the last piece of timber and this has given us exactly what we needed. The team worked hard to ensure the designs matched our criteria and they kept us informed at every stage of the process. Their years of experience with other schools is evident in the professional and timely manner in which they carry out a build.
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Now that we have a sheltered space in the playground we can deliver outdoor learning and educational play, regardless of what the weather is doing.
How are you using the space to deliver outdoor learning and educational play?
Now that we have a sheltered space in the playground we can deliver outdoor learning and educational play, regardless of what the weather is doing. We use the space during lesson time for story telling and performances. At play time it is platform away from the elements where the children can play with toys, put on performances or simply relax and eat their lunch.

What are the biggest benefits you have seen for the children?
The new shelter gives us the opportunity to introduce more variety into the daily routine. The change of scenery motivates the pupils and we’ve seen an increase in their attention spans by mixing up lessons inside and outside. Their imaginations have benefited too – the natural environment is a fantastic inspiration for creative young minds.

Can you share any practice insights you have gained?
A simple shelter is an easy way to introduce more outdoor play and learning to a school. It’s multi-functional and can be used during lessons and at play times. Encouraging nursery pupils to embrace the outdoors will help instill a positive attitude towards spending time outdoors. Something that will help them have a happier and healthier lifestyle for years to come.

 

 


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