Project description
The ‘Design for Real’ project at Chesham Bois CE Combined School in Buckinghamshire used a child-led experimental approach to school grounds design.
Students experimenting with materials and structures © A&M Photography Ltd
Staff and all students worked alongside landscape architect Felicity Robinson of Landscapes Naturally, using real scale props and other resources to experiment with structures, shelter, spaces, colour, feelings and senses in the school grounds.
Different classes participated in different activities, each taking a specific part of the school grounds as the focus for their work. All students had the opportunity to use their imaginations to explore the design of spaces and develop an understanding of the importance of risk and safety in the outdoor environment.
The children found the opportunity to work in “real scale” in their own space an invaluable opportunity to develop and communicate their ideas about how they would like to improve the environment in which they play and learn.
The real scale outdoor work was complemented by indoor modelling, questionnaires and research. The ideas developed from this project will form a framework for the school grounds improvement plan over the coming years. Some elements of the children’s designs (eg. the growing garden and the quiet area) are already being implemented!
Key stage
Key stages 1-2 (reception to year 6)
Curriculum and whole school areas
- maths
- English
- science
- art / design and technology
- ICT
- Learning Outside the Classroom
- Every Child Matters
Learning objectives
For students to:
- consider what makes an exciting environment for learning and play and in doing so, identify what helps them to learn and play better
- learn about the design process and how it can impact the attractiveness and usability of the outdoor environment
- learn different approaches to problem solving and the importance of considering the views and requirements of different groups of users as well as factors such as cost, safety, accessibility and practicality.
For staff to:
- learn more about how their children would like to use their grounds to enrich their learning and how this impacts design decisions and the potential for future curriculum development.
Students help move materials and resources © A&M Photography Ltd
Length of project
December 2008 to March 2009, including a focussed activity week in February.
What did the learning involve?
Activities
Some of the activities that took place during the ‘Design for Real’ project were:
Activity 1 - den making
Students enjoyed making dens, mainly in the woodland adjacent to the school, though some igloos were also made as there was thick snow to work with on the playing field!
Activity 2 - designing a garden
One side of the playground was designated for designing a garden area; the children’s ideas have already been implemented into a new garden area (see image below).
Activity 3 -designing a stage
Due to bad weather the students’ initial designs were made with lego before an actual performance area was built out of pallets in the playground – due to popularity this temporary construction has stayed in use for lessons and breaks.
Activity 4 - designing for play
Students came up with structures and ideas for social and imaginative interaction through places and games. These ideas are being incorporated into the landscape architect’s overall strategy for developing the school grounds.
Materials and the building site © Sue Grice
Resources used
- props such as tyres, crates, poles, logs, sacks, fabric, cushions, carpet tiles
- cameras and other recording devices
- landscape architect
- gardening tools and supplies
- model making materials for in class
Funding
£1,500 was received as a (CABE) educational grant. The project also received PTA money and prop material donations from local businesses.
How well were the aims met?
Outcomes
- children developed a stronger awareness, understanding of and interest in the outdoor built environment and how it affects their mental and physical wellbeing
- increased school community cohesion – sense of unity around a shared vision of the future of their school grounds
- massively increased engagement with the outdoors and excitement about using it for learning and play among staff and students
- students actively involved in decision making in a real life project creating a strong sense of ownership for their school.
What worked well
- significant student input to the planning for school grounds development at a strategic level
- increased student awareness that their environment influences their enjoyment of life and that they can actively effect changes and improvements by the structures and designs created
- children learnt how to work collaboratively
- involving parents showed them the value of practical learning beyond the academic
- staff are continuing to use the outdoor environment as a learning resource.
Students experience their built landscape © A&M Photography Ltd
What didn’t work well
- the constraints of space and storage affected logistics
- the ambitions and scope of the project were large – focussing on a few particular areas would have been easier to manage
- heavy snow meant some plans had to be rethought – this was a barrier at first but the results showed that the weather need not be a deterrent!
Comments from teachers
‘The project has provided an opportunity for the children to “show” their ideas to the adults who now have a much clearer idea of what the children would like us to do to improve their outdoor environment.
Children have been given a great opportunity to communicate their ideas in a highly meaningful way and it has provided them with an exciting and memorable learning experience.’ Sue Grice, Project Manager.
Further information
CABE education grants
Playground development: getting young people involved
Read the 2008/09 grant winning projects here on Engaging Places:
A BSF design think tank at Sittingbourne Community College
Constructing a straw bale building at Dr Thomlinson Middle School
Exploring regeneration at Archbishop Blanch School
Playground canopies at Orleton CE Primary School
Community art at Lower Darwen Primary School
