School Garden Portfolio

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Here are some of the numerous project s we have carried out in the last few years for schools and nurseries.  These projects where designed, planted and built by us with “free flow play” being the ethos behind the gardens. In line with current OFSTED guidelines there is no fixed play equipment in these gardens; the children let their imagination run wild with the use of jungle walk ways and stages while there are many “quiet” areas for children (and Adults!) to relax, reflect and watch the world go by. Typically these gardens are far less costly than traditional play areas while having a great deal more to offer on every level when it comes to outside play.

Early Years Garden - Warren Primary School

Our brief here was to design and build a garden for Pre-School and Early Years Children which should fully consider OFSTED guidelines on School Gardens. This garden uses natural materials to create a space which the children can clearly identify as there’s.

In this picture one can see a raised timber walkway running through sensory plants, over size weaving poles, a great semi circular path and dramatic planting.

To help with physical exercises, balance and introducing a safe element of risk we have erected simple stepping logs made from Oak. Behind this is a very large bespoke sandpit with cover. This is large enough for at least 13 children to use at one time.

This sandpit was placed here because it is in shade for most of the day. It was a tricky element to build as the whole area is sloped and this required very awkward timber cuts. The rope makes a easy to use handle and adds aesthetic appeal

To the left of the picture is some sensory planting which surrounds the raised wooden walkway. These plants stimulate all of the senses and the walkway encourages physical exercises and adds drama and excitement to the garden.

The grass mounds are aesthetically pleasing, great exercises, exiting, fantastic for role play and are a real favourite with the children.

This decking area is a great area for role play. Surrounded by seats it makes a great stage and acts as a good place for quite, reflective time. The natural woven willow fencing helps create a sense of privacy

These raised vegetable beds can be used by at least 30 children at a time. Great for digging and growing food these will be a great way to teach children about the natural environment.

The circular path is wide enough for use with wheeled toys. The pergola in this picture was the only element of the original garden which remained.

The bespoke bench seating is made to be the right height and width for the children. The planting one can see in this picture is semi tropical and very dramatic. This will make for a dense “jungle” in years to come. Later in the year we will return to the school to plant a Willow Tunnel through the planting

The covered area in the middle and right of the picture are both storage buildings. These open fronted buildings allow the children to put their own toys away allowing staff to have more time to concentrate on the educational aspects of outside "free flow" play.

Here you can see a covered Baby area making play all year round a possibility, a grass mound which the chlidren love and is great for physical play and balance, and path which is wide enough for wheeled toys. To the far right hand corner a wooden access ramp.

A wooden, anti-slip ramp leading to a toddler room.

A complex structure which will give very easy access to the garden (even with puch chairs). This leads directly onto a area which is enclosed for children under 2. The wood helps the ramp look far less imposing than it otherwise would if we had used other materials.

Our breif here was to design and build a pre-school garden on a small budget which should allow the children as much contact (and fun of course!) with the natural world.

This bespoke bridge adds height to the garden. The bridge will also raise the heart beat of the children which is no bad thing.

The planting in the garden is mainly native which will attract wildlife and mini beasts to the site. In the distance a path leads to a decking area which is to be used as a stage.

Here you can see the paths and planting for much of the garden. The main path runs to the bridge loops around the back of the garden and then leads back to the playground – great for physical exercise. The planting will become dense over the years and add a sense of adventure as some of the views will be screened.

The bark paths lead to a small “quiet area” in the corner of the garden. Grass makes a great soft play area and all of  the planting at the back of the garden is either native or wildlife friendly.

My brief here was to design and build a garden for the children to enjoy as a quiet space.

The budget was tight, the site was difficult to get to and the old council paving slabs were not too pretty... well at least the soil was good!

A wooden retaining wall creates a raised bed. The path leading up to the garden was created using Oak railway sleepers and Bark chippings. The children will have to push through the Bamboo to see what is at the top of the path. 

A circular seating area is the first thing the children will come across. The Oak sleepers lead the eye to the seating area, which also acts as a focal point.

The planting to the left and behind will thrive in this shady garden, and will become very dense in the next season or two.

The paving is the schools own, and it has been edged by tumbled block paving, which then forms a path to the second seating area.

The children will enjoy jumping on each stepping stone and in turn they lead to the third seating area, and lawn

  The main border for the garden is here also. Palms, Ferns, Bamboo and a false Castor Oil Plant create the feel of a Jungle and I hope that it will inspire some young gardeners.

Stepping stones again lead through 10ft Bamboos and a packed border to a seating area at the end. It took over half an hour to plant each one of the Bamboos as they are so large! But it was worth it for the instant impact they provide.

The garden was designed around circles’. They help create interest and break up the space.