In November 2020, we were alerted to the fact that Christ Church New Malden C of E Primary School had recently received a failed inspection report for their Nursery Play Area. Unfortunately, they had found out that their existing climbing frame was not fit for use, due to the rotten timber structure and that it had therefore, been condemned.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, school fundraising had proved difficult and had changed the way their normal fundraising events were carried out. The school’s PTA decided to set up a ‘Go Fund Me’ crowdfunding web page for their project. Thanks to this “out-of-the-box thinking” the school had a budget ready for a replacement to be installed quite quickly.

We visited the site in early December 2020 and took on board what the staff wanted to incorporate into the new climbing frame and play area and went away and designed something accordingly.

“Sawscapes Play contacted our school after seeing the ‘Go Fund Me’ page and expressed an interest in our project. Our Early Years team loved the design proposed to us as it really transformed the whole area, rather than just replacing a unit. It was just slightly over our budget; however, it was much better value for money. As a company, everything ran very smoothly, and last-minute changes were factored in and made the project very easy and problem free. Sawscapes Play were very accommodating and helpful with the financial situation. The key features we wanted to incorporate was a slide, fire pole, and bridge – all of which were taken on board and included in the design. All involved, from design to the install team, all members of Sawscapes Play followed our schools Covid-19 risk assessment and worked as safely as possible – they were all brilliant. The children loved to watch the progress of work each day and are all now very pleased with the final outcome. They all absolutely love it, as do the staff! It has made the play area safer too. Unlimited hours of fun for our children! – Jason Brown (School Office)

The new Nursery Play Area now includes a bespoke three tower unit, featuring two access points –stairs and a pull up rope climber and two exit points – a slide and a fire pole, along with a rope clatter bridge and straight bridge. All our timber was root fixed using stainless steel feet to increase the longevity of the equipment, ensuring value for money and the safety of its users.

Quote from one of the nursery children – Benedict: ‘’I love the fire pole – it’s like I’m flying!!’’

The play area also now has a Mini Mud Kitchen to recreate a new digging area, creating an imaginative, sensory and role play environment for the children – further adding to the play value of the area. This is all married together with an autumn blend mix of bound rubber mulch to create a safe, fun-filled environment for the children to experience and explore.