Swing Gate School, Berkhamsted (Site Visit)

Recently Friends of Swing Gate School, Berkhamsted  reached out for help in a local group asking if anyone could help them draw up some plans for their playground project so they could get started with the build. Working with local reputable practices, developers and contractors I decided to reach out to see if any of my clients could help and that’s when DPA (London) Ltd offered to get involved. 

DPA (London) Ltd  kindly said I could go along to the site visit so last week we met with Sara Marshall, the Chair of the Friends of Swing Gate School Committee who gave us a mini tour of the school and playground and shared with us her visions for the playground. Swing Gate School is a Nursery and Primary school for 160 pupils and one of their key priorities at the moment is upgrading and utilising their outside space more. 

We know there are huge health benefits associated with being outdoors. Children can benefit from running and chasing developing good physical fitness; agility and stamina, jumping and running developing bone density; large muscle groups and stability, climbing developing coordination; balance and strength, and freedom so they can shout and let off steam. 

Playing outdoors allows children to develop self-confidence, independence and self-esteem. They also become aware of limits, boundaries and challenge in their play. It also promotes curiosity, creativity and critical thinking and studies have found children who spend more time in nature and exploration had improved learning outcomes. 

It is  also thought to help relieve stress and anxiety by reducing levels of the hormone cortisol in the brain. A recent study in the UK found that even just five minutes of exercise in a natural outdoor environment can rapidly improve self-esteem and mental health and wellbeing in young people.

Following the pandemic globally there has been a rise in school absences due to anxiety and other factors. This is one of the reasons the school are doing everything they can to make the space more attractive and appealing to try and encourage pupils back to school but also to make the space more inviting for their current pupils to enjoy. 

Initial plans involve transforming the embankment area to a climbing frame space with steps, slides and climbing ropes. Unfortunately school budgets cannot fund this project so Friends of Swing Gate School, a charity run by volunteer parents, has stepped in to help fundraise and try to make the plans a reality. 

Following the site visit DPA (London) Ltd have very kindly offered to draw up the plans free of charge which is extremely kind and generous and now hopefully the project can head in the right direction so the children can have the outside space they really do deserve. 

Swing Gate School, Future Playground Plans

Canopy / Outside Shelter

The school are also trying to fundraise for a canopy / outside shelter to create more usable covered space around the school. This will allow the kids to get outside even with the unpredictable UK weather as well as provide options for outdoor learning 

Play area Upgrade 

Another section of the playground which already has climbing frame equipment also needs upgrading in the next couple of years. 

From a personal point of view the whole experience for me was quite eye opening. The school does have quite a large outside area and I think it’s a shame it’s not being used to it’s full potential. I think it must be hard to encourage donations from parents when ultimately these things take time and their own children might not necessarily get to enjoy the equipment as by the time the funds are raised and the projects are built their children move on. I do feel quite invested in trying to help the school whether it’s by reaching out to see if any more of my clients can help, supporting the school’s fundraising efforts, fundraising myself or potentially working closely with the school as our chosen charity to make the plans a reality. 

This is our first meeting and visit with the school and it won’t be our last. My thinking cap is well and truly on to support this local school.