Spencer Clarke Group Build Local School a New Playground

We’re thrilled to announce that over the school summer holidays, a team of our employees and local builders PGA Contractors teamed together to build a new playground for Mereside Primary Academy in Blackpool.

From painting and sanding to planting, the new playground now boasts an arts & crafts wall, a construction zone, a music wall, an outdoor library and a curiosity shed. 

Designed for nursery and reception children, the new playground adheres to the Curiosity Approach, a play-based practice under the Early Year Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. The EYFS framework sets the standards that early years providers must meet to help children gain the knowledge and skills they need to begin school.

The framework promotes the use of natural materials such as wood, sand and bark which heavily inspired the design of the playground. In an effort to encourage sustainability, we lovingly restored three existing sheds through many hours of sanding, painting and replacing the hinges. 

Our vision for the playground was to incorporate construction play to encourage children to freely explore, create and interact with the world around them. The thoughtfully designed playground encourages imaginative play, supports the development of fine motor skills and allows children to be guided by their natural curiosity.

Highlights of the playground include sensory plants (such as lavender and thyme), sand tables which double up as picnic benches, a freshly painted cycle track and wooden pallets upcycled into art and music walls.   

The ‘Little Dreamers’ Library’ has been transformed from an unloved space into a haven of children's books, jigsaw puzzles, building blocks and soft toys. Two picnic benches now sit outside the library so the children can explore their new books and toys comfortably. 

Head of Marketing, Debbie Holden, who headed up the project said, “I love a project but this was by far my most ambitious one yet! Despite a few hurdles - one of them being the great British weather dampening our plans - we managed to get there in the end and I am so proud of what we have achieved!” 

Managing Consultant at Spencer Clarke Group Jimmy Callagher, said “We love supporting the local community and providing a space which the children may not have access to elsewhere. I have a fantastic relationship with the school so being able to give back in this way is incredible.”

Reception Teacher and EYFS Lead at Mereside Primary Academy Vicky Meeks, said “Our new outdoor playground offers a range of hands-on learning experiences to extend children's imaginations. The curiosity shed in the playground will prompt children to become more curious and explore the world around them.”

Vicky added, “By immersing themselves in play, children can develop independent learning skills, take risks, and learn the value of teamwork.”

Part of the Fylde Coast Academy (FCAT), Mereside Primary Academy welcomes over 200 children and fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing for continuous improvement.