Community Engagement

A successful playground cannot be designed in a vacuum. To ensure the new space meets the needs of our children, families, and the wider community, we have undertaken a series of engagement exercises to gather data, build consensus, and prioritise our activities.

Parent & Caregiver Survey

In November 2025, we launched a survey to collect the views of the school community. With approximately 45 parental responses (representing 25–33% of school families), the results provided a clear mandate for development.

Key Insights

Safety & Maintenance: Significant concerns were raised regarding slippery mud, drainage issues, and injuries caused by the dominance of asphalt.
Weather Exposure: The “top of the hill” climate was cited as a major barrier, with pupils often unable to enjoy the outdoors due to lack of shelter.
Accessibility: Feedback highlighted that the current grass areas are effectively off-limits for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids.
Play Balance: There is a strong desire to balance “football dominance” with quiet, creative, and nature-based spaces.

Prioritisation with “The Playground Shop”

To move beyond wish lists and understand real-world priorities, we ran The Playground Shop at Parent-Teacher evenings in March 2026. This interactive exercise asked participants to “buy” playground features with a limited budget of 10 tokens.

What the School Community “Purchased”

Playground Item	Tally
Football Targets	66
All-Weather Hub (Shelter)	44
Monkey Bars	43
Basketball Hoop	41
Running Track	41
Slide	36
Swings	33
Log / Rope Swing	31
Trim Trail / Obstacle Course	29
Flying Fox / Zip Line	28
In-Ground Trampolines	27
Fort / Den Builder	26
Lookout / Keep	23
See-Saw	20
Outdoor Stage	17
Rope Pyramid	17
Climbing Frame	16
Tunnel	15
Roundabout	10
Sandpit	6

Key Takeaways

Active Sport is a High Priority: The massive spend on Football Targets (66), Basketball (41), and the Running Track (41) confirms a need for high-quality, dedicated sports zones.
Weather Protection is Essential: The All-Weather Hub (44) was the second highest priority, reinforcing our focus on addressing the “top of the hill” climate.
Classic Play Value: Items that promote physical agility — like Monkey Bars (43) and Slides (36) — remain core to the community’s vision.
Wildcard Suggestions: Participants used the wildcard station to suggest an Adjustable Basketball Hoop (to suit different age groups) and a MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) Pitch, both of which have been added to our long-term considerations.

Next Steps: Deepening Engagement

Our next phase focuses on ensuring that the playground end-users (the children) and the school staff are fully consulted as we move toward a final design.

Engaging with Pupils

We are currently working out the best way to engage with the children via classroom activities. Our focus is on developing methods that are:

Age-Appropriate: Ensuring that activities are tailored to the different developmental levels of P1 through to P7.
Inclusive: Allowing every child to share their perspective on what makes a playground successful.
Actionable: Capturing ideas that can realistically inform the design and zoning of the space.

Engaging with Teaching Staff

The insight of our teaching and support staff is vital, as they observe playground dynamics daily. We have identified staff engagement as a key next step. We are currently determining the most effective format for this consultation to ensure we incorporate staff expertise while respecting their time and existing school commitments.

Wider Community & Neighbour Consultation

As we explore opening the playground for community use during weekends and holidays, we are seeking input from:

Local Residents: To ensure the design respects the privacy and amenity of our neighbours.
Community Groups: To identify how the space can serve local children outside of the school family, unlocking a broader range of funding opportunities.