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Viewlands Playground

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.
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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.

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.

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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.


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