A better playground for Viewlands
Section titled “A better playground for Viewlands”We are a group of parents working to improve Viewlands Primary playground for our children, and the wider Perth community.
Explore Project Goals
Support Us
Support Our Campaign
Section titled “Support Our Campaign”Donate via Aviva Communities Fund.
Section titled “Donate via Aviva Communities Fund.”We are raising £990 to fund a professional consultation with Learning Through Landscapes, the UK’s leading school grounds charity. This expert consultation — engaging pupils, staff, and the wider community — is the essential first step that unlocks the major grant funding we need to deliver our vision.
Aviva are match-funding all donations up to £250.
Donate via Aviva Communities Fund
Pick Your Own Blueberries
Section titled “Pick Your Own Blueberries”Join us for an afternoon outdoors at Thomas Thomson in Blairgowrie. Pick what you want, donate what you can!
All donations received on the following days will support our playground development:
- Sunday 20th September — 12pm to 3pm
- Thursday 8th October — 1:30pm to 6pm
Thomas Thomson, Ashgrove Mill, Blairgowrie, PH10 7EX (What3Words: free.backs.decisions)
Wear sensible shoes (the ground is uneven) and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring punnet tubs if you have them, or we can supply them on the day.
Our School Grounds Today
Section titled “Our School Grounds Today”Located at one of the highest points in Perth, Viewlands Primary enjoys a prominent position. However, following many years without significant capital investment, our playground currently faces considerable challenges.
With only one indoor gym hall, the school relies on the playground for delivering the PE curriculum, yet the asphalt-dominated site remains largely unsuitable for this purpose. The result is an environment that feels sparse and exposed — a difficult space for both physical education and daily play.
Key Challenges:
- Weather Exposure: A lack of shelter at the “top of the hill” limits outdoor play and learning during wet and windy periods.
- The Mud Factor: Poor drainage and deteriorating grass surfaces make large areas of the site unusable for much of the school year.
- Unsuitable Surfaces: The dominance of hard asphalt makes the grounds ill-suited for energetic PE and play, leading to falls and safety concerns.
- Play Balance: A lack of defined “zones” leads to high-energy games unintentionally dominating the space, leaving fewer options for quiet or creative play.
View Playground Gallery
The Vision: A Learning Landscape
Section titled “The Vision: A Learning Landscape”We are working to transform the grounds into a multi-functional Learning Landscape, designed to support the delivery of PE within the Curriculum for Excellence, while championing the vital importance of play for both Viewlands pupils and children within the wider Perth community.
This is an ambitious, multi-year project with an estimated total cost of £200,000 – £250,000. Given very limited internal school budgets, this vision relies almost entirely on external grants, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising. To ensure the project is sustainable and realistic, we plan to deliver improvements in stages over time.
Our approach is built on two complementary workstreams:
- Natural & Built Environment: Improving physical infrastructure through sustainable landscaping, seating, and weather protection to soften our exposed site.
- Engaging Play Experiences: Installing modern equipment that encourages managed risk, physical development, and social cooperation.
Explore our Project Goals
A Community Effort
Section titled “A Community Effort”A project of this scale is only possible through the collective energy of our school family and local partners. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the organisations that have supported us so far.
Meet our Supporters