Green Dragon Primary School is situated on the North Bank of the Thames, in Middlesex in an area of high deprivation, dominated by high rise flats.
The school worked with Playgarden to redevelop their outdoor provision within their Nursery to ensure that all children could benefit from interaction with the natural environment particularly as very few pupils have any garden access at home.
Championing a landscape design led approach, Playgarden visited the site and took the time to understand which elements in the existing space worked and how the space could be improved as a whole to facilitate playful learning. The nursery had a figure of 8 bike track which worked very effectively so was retained within the new design. This bike track includes zebra crossings and road markings, so is good for creative and role play opportunities.
With a limited budget the design included a natural water channel which is filled by the staff and children, transporting water utilising play resources to the channel. Once there it can be manipulated down the channel into a pool, which the children can empty at will using a plug.
Jane Buck, Deputy Head Teacher at Green Dragon comments: "Our outdoor space looks so much better than it did previously and provides a greater variety of physical challenge. Prior to the development, the outdoor space only really provided the physical challenge of the bike track, but now they can roll and run down the mound, balance along the beams or clamber into the hammock. The artificial grass performs exceptionally well as it does not become muddy after heavy showers, so can be used all the time. "
The sand play feature is within the bike track. This small space is utilised effectively with a pebble play scape and natural boulders to create beach –like, learning space.
The play space also includes landscapes mounds to provide height, planting and artificial grass, to provide an area for free, unstructured play. It is also a perfect space for carrying out group physical exercises with each class.
The small pockets of space have been carefully considered to create different opportunities, a hammock provides both relaxation, or underneath, a den. Balancing beams help sharpen physical skills and spark the imagination for creative play.
