The new playground is ready!

The children’s ideas have come to life with the installation of new play equipment all funded by the PTFA! This is in addition to line markings for games and sports which have already gone down.

Read our recent blog to see what's been installed and where, and watch our Instagram reel for the full guided tour.

As a reminder, last term we held a focus group with the children, and asked what they would love to see in their outdoor space. Their ideas were clear and practical:

• Climbing equipment and challenges for upper body strength

• A court or a pitch for football and ball games

• More four square courts

• Space to be active and space to wind down.

We hope the children enjoy the results!

The installation of this play equipment marks the end of the final phase of the Grow With It project which set out to transform some of our school’s underused outdoor spaces.

In the first phases, we funded two murals inspired by the children’s ideas. 'Branching Out' at the school entrance features fireflies chosen by St Bon's children, symbolising how they, as individual lights, come together to create a brighter light. At the back of the school, the 'St Bon’s Giant Bug Hotel' includes real mini bug houses to support biodiversity. Children chose ants in the design to represent St Bon's as they work together and help each other, collaborate and co-operate, and are persistent and determined.

You might also have seen the school garden flourishing this summer, complete with raised beds, and a greenhouse funded by the PTFA. Norbot the Smart Gnome will soon be taking up residence, and you'll see the children's Jubilee Year of Hope pots are now filled with plants they have grown from seed using class gardening kits funded by the PTFA.

What's next?

The children had plenty more ideas for their outdoor spaces- a graffiti wall, quiet seating, a seed planting area (some have already brought seeds in!), and storage for games equipment. These are all things we hope to add in the future. And of course we very much look forward to seeing the school garden continue to flourish!