Guardian News
Thumbs up from pupils for all-year playground
11:20am Monday 6th February 2012
THE first phase of Egerton Primary School’s Year Round Playground project has been revealed, and the children have given it a resounding thumbs-up.
Designed with the children and the school's parent teacher association, the scheme aims to end the problem of the main school field being out of action for nearly half of the school year because of bad weather.
The Year Round Playground will allow pupils to benefit from an outdoor learning and play space whether it’s raining or snowing, and includes plans for an outdoor classroom, a maze and a wildlife nursery featuring bat boxes.
The first phase – which was completed over the Christmas holiday – incorporates an adventure playground to encourage physical activity.
The secret of the plan’s success is an all-weather path connecting the various elements, devised by the children through lessons and assemblies.
Head teacher Alison Hooper said: “The children voted for us to install the adventure playground first, and are already loving playing on it.
“We’re busy planning phase two so it can be enjoyed by the summer.”
Having completed the refurbishment of the infant playground in 2010, the PTA has already raised £15,000 towards the £50,000 total cost of the Year Round Playground scheme..
The school’s next fundraising event will be an evening of poetry, stories and questions with Sam Youd, former gardens manager at Tatton Park, on February 21.
Tickets cost £5, which are available to the public from the school reception.