Turning an Overgrown, Inaccessible Space into a Play Oasis at Penn Fields School (SEND)
Penn Fields School in Wolverhampton educates students from Early Years to Post 16, with a range of special education needs and disabilities.
They had a long strip of forested area to the back of their playground that was quite inaccessible and overlooked by a public pathway. Play to Measure were challenged to come up with a range of designs to create more privacy and make the space accessible, stimulating and exciting!
Wolverhampton’s Largest Mud Kitchen!
An unused space between two containers now houses the biggest mud kitchen Play to Measure have built to date. Children engage in messy play across 15 meters of mud kitchen where pies and potions are made, and imaginations run wild. It even features a washing machine!
Relaxation Grove
Built amongst the trees, Relaxation Grove is a multi-sensory space for relaxation and sensory exploration. A circular music play stage features, a Babel drum, xylophone, emperor chimes, hand pipes and a cajón. Surrounding the stage are a range of multi-sensory tactile boards, hammocks, bunting and wind chimes, creating a calm space devoted to relaxing and developing the senses.
Tree Top Town
A world of imaginative and challenging play awaits at the Tree Top Town where 3 interlinking structures were built with the natural environment incorporated into their design. Learners navigate ramps and rope bridges, scale up a climbing wall, hide in a crooked house and play with telescopes and talking tubes along their way.
This cleverly crafted play space utilises a variety of inclines, levels and distances between platforms to help learners develop improved spatial and body awareness. Climbing and balancing helps learners build strength and dexterity while they play.
Water Works
A ramp-accessible shelter nestled in the trees features bamboo water shoots, reclaimed wooden guttering and transparent piping. Water play channels travel in and out of the structure challenging learners to follow the path of the water as it travels through the shelter. Water play can be both calming and exciting. Sensory exploration with water helps develop hand-eye coordination, introduces science concepts and develops motor skills.
Caravan Classroom
Penn Fields wanted an area where small groups could engage with learning in their forest school environment but out of the elements. Play to measure renovated a caravan turning it into a wheelchair-accessible classroom complete with story teller’s throne and fake grass floor.
Playful Fence
The new Forest Schools site was very overlooked by a public pathway so an internal frame was fitted against the existing metal fence and cladded with colourful, 6 foot wooden fencing. The fencing was carved to include a range of animals and shapes with children from the school engaged in the coming up with ideas for their playful fence characters. Lower level fencing and gates in the same style were crafted throughout the site.
“From the initial meeting it was clear that Keith’s creative vision was something that the students at Penn Fields School would really benefit from. The enthusiasm, craftsmanship and attention to detail have been superb.
Keith and the team have transformed our woodland area into a truly magical space where our students can explore and play in a safe environment.
From the treetop village to the waterworks and relaxation grove, all of the bespoke spaces have been created with our students’ needs in mind. The huge mud kitchen and forest schools caravan classroom have been excellent additions to our outdoor spaces.
Keith and the team have been so accommodating, fully engaging with students and staff to bring their vision into reality. Whether it was a student who wanted to lend a helping hand, or taking suggestions for the carvings on our new perimeter fence, nothing has been too much trouble for them.
During the eight months Play to Measure have been with us they have really become part of the Penn Fields family. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to you and we are sure that they will be back with us in the future to create more fantastic spaces.”
