College Road Primary School Case Study

The school, based in Plymouth, transformed the playground by installing fencing that was constructed to emulate a ship. Inside this area, a range of seating was installed, including a tree seat, as well as a cannon and a ship’s wheel. All of these products were produced from recycled plastic. The play equipment has proved to be so popular with the pupils that the school has put a rota in place, so that all classes have time to play in the area.

Recycled plastic has also been used elsewhere around the school grounds for products such as planters and blue and black tables. Plaswood was also used to replace old timber seating slats along the front of the playground wall area and in the make up of our spiritual garden.

Head Teacher, Margaret Ware comments: “We are very pleased with our new play facilities. We involved parents and children in our plans for developing the outside areas through displays and questionnaires, and everyone is delighted with the results. Using recycled plastic around the school has helped to reduce the level of maintenance previously required, and the children and parents are relieved as they no longer get splinters from the benches.

“The fact that the material is recycled has been an added benefit as we are keen to promote recycling to the children, and at the same time help to protect the environment. We would like to continue to use recycled plastic furniture in the future, especially for tables in our outside classroom.”

Case study supplied by College Road Primary School.