KS1 Playground Development at Eversley Primary School, Enfield | Absolute Play - Case Study

📌 Project snapshot

• Sector: Education / Primary School

• Age range served: KS1

• Key project drivers: Replace tired, unfit-for-purpose equipment and create a dedicated KS1 physical development space that promotes challenge, climbing, balance, coordination and active play, whilst delivering a durable all-weather environment with strong long-term play value.

• Equipment type: Natural timber climbing equipment, linked trim trail elements, physical development play.

• Surfacing: Artificial Grass, Bonded Rubber Mulch, EPDM Safety Surfacing.

• Budget: £60,000.00+VAT

Project summary - KS1 Playground Development

Absolute Play worked with Eversley Primary School to deliver a bespoke KS1 Playground Development, transforming a tired outdoor area into a challenging physical play environment designed specifically for younger primary children.

The scheme focused on climbing, balancing, traversing and whole-body movement, supported by robust all-weather surfacing to maximize year-round usability.

The brief

The school required a dedicated KS1 outdoor play space that would better support physical development and active play. The existing provision had become tired and no longer fit for purpose, creating an opportunity to completely rethink how the area could challenge and engage younger children.

The ambition was to create something more exciting and distinctive than a standard modular playground, while delivering a future-proof space with strong play value and long-term durability.

Before our installation

Our solution

We designed a bespoke natural play environment centered around progressive physical challenge and movement.

Key equipment:

• Clamber Stack 3 featuring climbing posts, climb nets, scramble logs, balance beams and support ropes for high-energy physical play

• Linked Trail 3 incorporating sloping balance weave, rope weave, walk and stretch posts, log rope, jigsaw traverse wall and balance beam elements to encourage coordination, balance and agility

Design approach:

The layout was designed to create clear progression between challenge levels, allowing children to build confidence through climbing, traversing, balancing and scrambling.

Rather than relying on a single play unit, the space combines linked movement opportunities with larger climbing features to promote continuous physical engagement and varied styles of play. The design also makes strong use of surfacing and zoning to create a cohesive, usable outdoor environment. The proposal intentionally offered something more bespoke and characterful than conventional school playground equipment.

Materials & surfacing

We selected materials that would provide strong durability, natural aesthetics and reliable year-round performance.

Equipment materials used:

Natural timber climbing and trail equipment with rope, net and balance features.

Surface types used:

• 376m² premium play-grade artificial grass surface

• Bonded rubber mulch surfacing in a brown and green blend

• EPDM shock pad beneath key climbing zones for critical fall height protection

Why these were chosen: The surfacing palette was selected to maximize all-weather usability, improve durability and deliver appropriate impact attenuation beneath climbing equipment whilst maintaining a natural appearance.

Installation

The project involved removal of existing surfacing and outdated equipment before construction of the new play environment. Extensive groundwork and sub-base preparation were required to create a durable foundation for both equipment and surfacing systems.

Careful coordination of surfacing types, shock pad areas and equipment positioning ensured the finished scheme delivered both strong visual impact and robust long-term performance.

The outcome

Eversley Primary School now benefits from a dedicated KS1 physical development playground that offers meaningful challenge, movement and play progression for younger pupils.

The transformed space supports climbing, coordination, balance, confidence and physical literacy while providing a durable, attractive and highly usable environment that can be enjoyed throughout the school year. The result is a playground with far greater play value, stronger identity and a clear focus on KS1 development.

Looking to create something similar?

If you’re planning a new KS1 Playground Development or school physical play project and would like early budget guidance or design ideas, get in touch with the Absolute Play team.

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