LISTENING TO YOUR AUDIENCE

PlayNation finds out that designing well-loved play spaces comes down to two steps – listen to the end-users and then deliver on their wishes

No one wants to see schoolyards with unused play equipment in them. The success of a play area – in other words, its popularity – is usually down to two aspects: a design that takes into account the different age groups that will use it and a selection of inspiring equipment that delivers to the design’s brief and intentions. Therefore, choosing age-appropriate playground equipment is the key to an engaging and buzzing schoolyard design. Get it right and the result can deliver a huge positive impact on pupils’ overall wellbeing, classroom performance and learning skills. To achieve results, however, requires a little bit of clever planning – which is why it is always a good idea to speak to specialists in play.

One of these specialists is the play equipment company, Kompan. “School playground planning holds immense potential for promoting physical activity, fostering social interactions and encouraging imaginative play,” Kompan says.

“School-age children seem able to do and learn almost anything. They master basic coordination skills such as running, climbing and balancing; however, because their range of skills is so broad, offering skill development within a wide range of challenges is essential when planning a school playground.”

To help schools choose age-appropriate equipment Kompan has compiled a guide, outlining some design ideas for playgrounds. The guide is divided into three categories – primary school, secondary school and special needs. For more info, visit the Kompan website: [kompan.com](https://kompan.com/)

Another company that specialises in a partnership-led approach when it comes to designing play spaces is Jupiter Play and Leisure.

“Our work is a result of a collaboration, understanding a space, a community and our client’s requirements,” Jupiter says. “Whether it is a landscape-led approach to connect children to nature, or a playground project to activate a community, our diverse portfolio of play projects showcase the innovation we deliver every day.”

When deciding on your new playground, you need to engage with your ‘consumers’ – the children

Marco Boi, founder of Play Innovation, has a similar approach.

“When deciding on your new playground, you need to engage with your ‘consumers’ – the children,” Boi says.

“What would they want to see included? Which sports would they like to play? While it’s impossible to please everyone, a well-managed consultation will give you an overview of what they would love to have – and end up spending hours on.

“This is the part of a project journey that I, personally, am most passionate about. Listening to, understanding and considering children – and ensuring their needs are at the heart of the project.”

So, what do well-designed, thoughtful and innovative school play areas look like? PlayNation has a closer look.

New nature-inspired playground opens at Clapham Manor Primary

Clapham Manor Primary School, nestled on the edge of Clapham Common in Lambeth, South London has transformed its outdoor space with a brand-new Proludic play area designed to bring children closer to nature while encouraging active, imaginative play.

The centrepiece of the playground is Proludic’s focal Origin’ Robinia Multiplay Unit, a striking wooden structure featuring slides, a tunnel, climbing wall, elevated playhouse and wobbly walkways. With 29 different play functions, the structure can accommodate up to 34 children at once, fostering both adventure and teamwork.

Alongside it sits the Monkey Bars Wooden Trail, a horizontal ladder module crafted also from Robinia wood and stainless steel, designed for up to four players to challenge their balance and coordination.

The play area is completed with soft wetpour surfacing utilising a leaf design in parts, combining safety with natural inspiration. Using Robinia wood throughout, the Origin’ range recreates the feel of a forest trail, encouraging children to climb, balance and explore in a setting that blends seamlessly with the surrounding trees.

“Teachers report that playtime is now greeted with even greater enthusiasm, while pupils have praised the new equipment,” Proludic said. “The school community has welcomed the installation as a valuable investment in both fun and learning.”

Transforming play and learning at Croft Community School

Earlier this year, Playdale Playgrounds completed the installation of a new playground at Croft Community School in Durham. The project was part of the school’s expansion and focused on turning a blank outdoor space into an inspiring environment for play, learning, and sensory development.

Designed with inclusivity and creativity in mind, the playground combines physical challenge, imaginative play, and outdoor learning. Equipment such as the Inclusive Orbit Roundabout, Team Swing, themed multi-play, and sensory play panels encourages children of all abilities to play together, develop key skills, and explore at their own pace.

The new playground has transformed the school grounds into a vibrant hub where pupils can build confidence, stay active, and enjoy learning outdoors – all while celebrating the school’s unique identity.

Playscheme provide adventure trail for Acomb pupils

Before joining Playscheme as member of the salesteam, Michael Carr was the Deputy Head at Acomb Primary School, and is still close friends with the Headteacher there. So, when the school approached Playscheme to help transform its playground, Carr knew the company had to create something truly special.

The brief was clear: a space that worked both for children wanting to be active and for those who prefer a quieter playtime. As a result, Playscheme installed one of its innovative Scramble Stax adventure trails, a dynamic climbing and balancing challenge that encourages children to develop strength, coordination and confidence.

For the quieter corners of the playground, Playscheme replaced an old tarmac surface with soft artificial grass and added welcoming booth-style seating. These spaces have quickly become a haven for children who want to sit, read, play games, or simply relax.

Due to the design, the playground has something for everyone – opportunities to be physically active and social, but also for some calmness.

Portsmouth school opens splash pad in memory of “shining star” pupil

Ustigate Waterplay worked with the team at Cliffdale Primary Academy in Portsmouth to establish an all-year-round water play on the school’s playground. The project was brought to life by a unity of collaboration and fundraising between the school and its community. The project was launched in honour and memory of a “shining star” pupil, called Hayden-Jay Archbold, who had sadly passed away.

Cliffdale Primary Academy is a primary special school for approximately 220 pupils aged 2-11 years who have complex learning difficulties; the vast majority of pupils have autism and severe learning difficulties.

Thanks to the project, the school now has a water play favourite for all ages and abilities. There is an award-winning Vortex Astra with its gentle halo of cascading water streams and 360-degree rotation, several round sprays and a puddle with an activator, because Cliffdale pupils love rainy days and a puddle to splash in.

There is a giraffe bench to sit and enjoy the view and a monkey glockenspiel to enjoy a tune or two. Also included are aided language boards designed by Cliffdale Primary Academy, to help children to communicate. Plant room insulation has been installed to ensure water play can be enjoyed all year round.

Inclusive play in action at Co-op Academy Brierley

Wicksteed has delivered an inclusive playground project for Co-op Academy Brierley in Leeds. The play area is designed to meet the diverse needs of pupils aged between four and 16 with special educational needs and disabilities.

Working closely with the school, Wicksteed created a tailored Sensory Integration Area and submitted a complementary plan for their Autism Suite, which was accepted and went above and beyond the original brief. Every element was chosen with inclusivity at its heart – focusing on variation in difficulty, movement, colour, and layout to support a wide range of physical and sensory needs.

The space features low-maintenance, high-quality equipment offering climbing, swinging and spinning opportunities – including two swing types, two roundabouts, sensory engagement points and the show-stopping Treetop Towers. With dual deck heights, slides and interactive panels, this imaginative centrepiece promotes fine and gross motor development, sensory exploration, and collaborative play.

“It’s more than a play area — it’s a space that supports learning, exploration and joyful experiences for every child, no matter their ability,” Wicksteed said.