‘It’s fantastic,’ said the school’s headteacher, Christine Muirhead. ‘The children absolutely adore it - mainly, I think, because it provides an exciting challenge and they are not hanging around getting fractious. It has certainly reduced the problem of friction we used to have in the playground!’

The new equipment is used during breaks and lunchtimes on a rota basis – with each child getting a turn at least twice a week. It is also proving a very popular option during Funtime Friday – the school’s end of week treat when pupils can choose what they want to do.

‘We’ve found a noticeable difference in coordination and cooperation skills since the activity trail was installed,’ said Mrs Muirhead. ‘It’s also interesting to watch the way different age groups use it. The older pupils tend to be braver and more adventurous whilst the younger ones are more cautious and follow each other.’

A grant of £5000 from Wakefield Healthy Schools made the purchase of the equipment possible.

‘We’re so grateful that the funding was available,’ said Mrs Muirhead. ‘The playground has made a real difference to the pupils – and the teachers. They’ve been having sneaky goes on it as well!’

According to the regular feedback received, England Lane’s experience is being shared by schools throughout the country.

‘We have 16 classes at the school and the children use the Playforce equipment in rotation,’ said Kim Kirchin, headteacher of Studfall School in Corby. ‘Since it was installed I am constantly asked: ‘When will it be our turn?’ or ‘How many days is it to go before it is our turn again?’ And the benefits are very clear to see after children have had 30 minutes of good challenging activity. I just wish we had done it years ago.’

Chris Bowen, Deputy Head of Llwyn-yr-Eos School in Ceredigion, Wales, is equally enthusiastic.

‘The children absolutely love the new playground,’ he said. ‘They come in early to play on it before school and we can’t get rid of them at the end of the day because they’re on it again. There isn’t a playtime when it’s not being used.’

Nor are the benefits restricted to improving fitness levels.

‘It does so much more than providing a reason to exercise,’ said Mr Bowen. ‘The pupils are learning patience, taking turns and helping each other.’

It is comments like that – combined with a professional, business-like approach – that has earned Playforce its recently conferred Beacon Company status. Launched eight years ago by husband and wife team Rachael and Edward Webb, the company’s reputation has been founded on high quality products, excellent customer service and outstanding design creativity.

As parents themselves, Rachael and Edward are both firm advocates of the importance of play. They recognise the huge contribution that an imaginatively designed playground can make to the life of a school – not only in terms of keeping pupils fit and healthy but in keeping them mentally active too.

‘In an age when childhood obesity and a growing culture of juvenile delinquency are beginning to pose real problems, there has never been a better time to get school children outdoors and into the playground,’ said Rachael. ‘More and more research findings are being published which indicate that, as well as developing positive attitudes towards physical activity and sport, school playtime also has a positive impact on learning and social development.

In order to maximise that impact, Playforce staff look carefully at each customer’s needs.

‘As sales consultants, we work closely with the schools to find out exactly what they want,’ said Sam Flatman. ‘We measure the site, talk through the teachers’ aims, listen to what the pupils have to say and then produce a design. Making sure that our customers get exactly what they want is our top priority.’

In the case of England Lane, following discussions with the School Council and pupils throughout the school, that has meant installing rubber stepping posts and a balance weaver to promote balance and co-operation skills; a crossed rope walk for upper body strength and co-ordination skills; swinging logs for upper body strength; a wobble walkway for role-play, co-operation and hand-eye co-ordination and a climbing wall and tyre-twister for the cross-lateral skills that are essential in developing handwriting and doing sport.

‘I chose Playforce after seeing a playground that they created at my previous school and I’ve been very impressed with the way they operate and the products they install,’ said Mrs Muirhead. ‘We are now fundraising to pay for an all-weather surface that will enable the children to use the equipment all year round.’

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