Playgrounds
for
Schools
We design, manufacture and
install highly engaging bespoke
natural playgrounds for
schools
Playgrounds for schools that enable the curriculum and inspire learning outside the classroom
We create exciting playgrounds that help schools deliver their learning priorities across all ages
Imagine a playground that helps you create those memorable learning experiences you want for your children. At TouchWood we are passionate about building environments that provide maximum opportunities for play and learning and understand that these go hand in hand.
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At TouchWood, we’re passionate about learning through play. Our school playgrounds are designed and built to deliver amazing and unique play experiences.
Our playground features encourage children to use their imaginations to have their own adventures in a safe, stimulating, natural setting. Using the act of play to stimulate learning is something that we’re all passionate about.
Play is the earliest form of storytelling. And, it is how children learn how to negotiate with peers, problem-solve, and improvise. It is in play that basic social skills — like sharing and taking turns — are learned and practiced. Children also bring their own language, customs, and culture into play.
From climbing frames to themed structures to mud kitchens and multi-use activity areas, we’ll have a natural play solution to meet your needs.
We create playgrounds for…
EARLY YEARS
KEY STAGE 1
KEY STAGE 2
KEY STAGE 3 & 4
GET A FREE GUIDE TO SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS
Our guide to school playground design gives you all the information you need to plan, design and organise a playground installation for your school. It’s absolutely free, and shares lots of examples about playgrounds for different age groups.
case studies from our portfolio
KS1 Playground Example
Stanley Green Primary School
Brief: To create a playground for Stanley Green Primary School that engaged the entire school with an emphasis on Key Stage 1.
The school tasked us with bringing learning and playtime back to life as the focal point of their space. So, how did we achieve this?
We provided a handcrafted magnifying glass amongst sleeper planters to allow the children to investigate nature via an ant farm through perspex windows.
We installed an interactive pea gravel pit with chutes, pulleys, scales, and platforms for children to take their imagination to the next level. There’s also a performance space taking centre stage alongside a giant story-telling throne for show and tell.
To keep the children strong and physically fit, they now have access to a fallen forest where they can balance, scramble, and play until their heart’s content.
KS2 Playground Example
Stoke Park Primary School, Bristol
Brief: To create a playground that worked across the whole school age range with particular emphasis on KS2 children.
Through talking to the staff we discovered that the existing ‘mud kitchen’ was a focal point for play. So we gave it an upgrade, adding a creative playroom, hand crafted log seats and table and a bespoke tree trunk ordering station!
Water is the ultimate loose part, and water play encourages problem solving, exploration and investigation at all stages of development. We built in hand pumps, channels, troughs, chutes and pulleys to make this a truly motivating area.
Thoughtful use of natural materials throughout the space makes for a calm and nurturing environment. Whilst the addition of a bug hotel and planters helps foster an enquiring mind and stewardship of the natural world.
Playgrounds designed for schools with bigger age gaps
Brief: To create a playground that re-energised the outdoor spaces for Penn Field school engaging children aged 5-19.
This playground design took an existing nature garden that wasn’t being used and gave it purpose.
The school were looking for a space that had multiple focuses for all key stage groups.
We focused on performance, physical challenge, creating social spaces for reflection and creating a space with better access to an overgrown pond.
our other projects
St Werburgh’s Primary School
Client: St Werburgh’s Primary School
Client Type: School
Location: Bristol
Client brief:
Following an earlier project with St Werburgh’s Primary School, TouchWood were asked to extend the play area in partnership with Bristol’s Scraps…
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The Dolphin School
Client Type: Education
Location: Bristol
Client brief:
The Dolphin School engaged TouchWood to improve a challenging playground area with a diverse range of engaging but flexible play activities.
The existing playground area was a c…
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St Werburgh’s Primary School
Client: St Werburgh’s Primary School
Client Type: School
Location: Bristol
Client brief:
St Werburgh’s Primary School wanted TouchWood to create a flexible and inspirational natural play space that supported their ambitions for outdoo…
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Fairlawn School
Client Type: School
Location: Bristol
Client brief:
The School was newly opened and staff were keen that the school outdoor areas supported the STEM curriculum. It was important that the play area would help to develop the collaboratio…
Read More…
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Our design process
Every project is unique, but in general we stick to our four step process when creating playgrounds. There are some additional stages if we support you through the funding process, but in general our design process is outlined below.
Step 1
Concept Design
Get in touch with our Concept Design team. Then, development, site survey, collaborative design, and pricing assurance.
Step 2
Technical Design
Technical design and pre-manufacture; we send technical drawings for you to sign off and we start pre-manufacturing at the wood yard.
Step 3
Manufacture & Install
Installation and sign-off. Then our independent play safety inspector signs off the play area.
Step 4
Maintenance
After-sales and maintenance support -we will issue you with a detailed operation and maintenance manual, a technical handover, and the option of our maintenance service packages.
We’ve Worked With…
speak with our education team
Our dedicated education design team
If you need a playground these are the people you need to speak to.
Our team help our educational clients by guiding them through the playground design and build process.
They help you understand what is achievable within your budget. They also help you visualise your project with 3D renders of your playground.
We know what you need
You want a playground that will help you to achieve your school priorities at break and curriculum time.
That will become a classroom without walls with the sky as it’s ceiling. That will work for you whatever the weather. That will constantly inspire, challenge and nurture your children. That will be open to new developments as your priorities change. That you can afford.
We know what you want, and so do you. Talk to us, we’re very good listeners.
We have loads of experience creating playgrounds for every budget
Whether you need to get your funding and want an idea of cost, or you have funding and need to get as much play value into a space as possible for that budget, we know how to help you.
From early years to secondary schools, we understand your school’s play needs will vary widely. Our primary focus is to provide playscapes that encourage outdoor learning alongside play and exercise.
We work with budgets of all sizes, but typically we work on school projects that cost £30,000+.
Why Trust Us?
We’re focused on delivering incredible play value so that visitors have an amazing time and clients see the rewards. After all, if our playgrounds can do that, it doesn’t matter if you’re a school looking for play value or a leisure location looking to increase dwell time; both will see success.
Our client testimonials speak for themselves.
“Since Touchwood Play installed our new play equipment, we’ve noticed a huge difference at playtime. Children are much happier and really enjoy playing together more.”
Shelley Flanagan
Head TeacherThe Dolphin School
“Working closely with the team at Touchwood Play has brought our vision and ideas into reality… children and families are thrilled with the wonderful equipment we now have.”
Julie
Molesworth PrincipalThe Dolphin School
“We were very satisfied with the whole process from design through to completion and beyond. Touchwood engaged parents, staff and children. We cannot reccomend them highly enough”
Lindsey Fuller
Head TeacherSpeedwell Nursery
“Our experience of working with Touchwood has been nothing but positive. The play ground that we now have is unique to us and the space that we asked you to fill. We feel that it almost perfectly reflects this nursery’s aspirations for a stimulating, challenging high quality outside learning environment.”
Gavin Trump
Room LeaderFinton Avenue Nursery School
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GET A FREE GUIDE TO SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS
Our guide to school playground design gives you all the information you need to plan, design and organise a playground installation for your school. It’s absolutely free, and shares lots of examples about playgrounds for different age groups.
