Fielding Primary School and Nursery is a co-educational institution in Ealing, London, dedicated to fostering respect, resilience, empathy, and reflection among its students.
Fielding Primary School offers a Forest School program for its Nursery and Reception pupils. These sessions, led by a qualified Forest School teacher, provide opportunities for outdoor learning in a natural environment within the school’s own forest area.
A Modest Makeover Created a Multi-use Play, Learning, and Social Space
This project at Fielding Primary School & Nursery in Ealing transformed a flat, underused area into a vibrant outdoor zone for climbing, creativity, dining, and drama. The result is a welcoming, low-maintenance space that supports both school and wider community use.
The Challenge
- Add structured play and seating without major build costs
- Provide a space that could support outdoor learning and school events
- Encourage imaginative and physical activity
- Keep long-term maintenance to a minimum
- Ensure the area remained flexible for different types of use
Our Approach
- Covered deck and seating outside the Year 4 entrance, ideal for outdoor learning or sheltered lunch breaks
- Large timber stage with interchangeable backdrops for performances, storytelling, and imaginative play
- Clamber stack climbing frames (x2) to support active, physical development
- Artificial grass and picnic tables for durable, all-weather seating and socialising
- New planting and trees to bring nature into the space and soften the layout
Key Features Installed
- Timber stage with adaptable backdrop panels
- Raised deck with fixed outdoor seating
- Two clamber stack climbing units
- Artificial grass surface
- Picnic benches
- Tree planting and new raised beds
All materials were chosen for durability, year-round usability, and minimal upkeep — perfect for public settings where staff time and budgets are limited.
Results & Benefits
- Greater variety of outdoor play — from climbing to drama to lunch breaks
- Increased use of the space throughout the day
- Low-maintenance design that fits within public-sector constraints
- Visually appealing layout that feels natural and well-integrated
- Flexible and multi-use — ideal for school and community events
Before & After
Before the makeover, the playground was a flat, featureless yard offering little in the way of engagement or variety.
Now, it’s a hub of activity, combining shaded rest areas, imaginative stage play, physical challenge, and opportunities for nature connection. Children have spaces to climb, perform, eat together, or simply enjoy being outdoors in a more inspiring setting.
TESTIMONIAL
“The children are so excited by the new play area, it has provided endless opportunities for play, imagination, and exploration. The children approach the equipment with excitement and enthusiasm each day and want to spend most of the learning in the outdoor classroom. The equipment provides the right level of challenge but also allowing the children to assess risk whilst gaining their independence. The equipment is robust and strong, it is of natural material blending in extremely well with its surroundings.
A full transformation of our learning environment.”
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