Balsall Common - Solihull, West Midlands
The first school in Balsall Common was opened in 1875 and was a small fee paying school with just 59 pupils. The school has steadily evolved over the years to become Balsall Common Primary School as it is today, with 660 pupils and a further 80 in the school’s purpose-built nursery. Balsall Common Primary School is a semi-rural primary school located in Solihull, seven miles west of Coventry.
The Issue:
The school had required a complete transformation of its nursery outdoor learning environment for some time, as its play area was bland and uninspiring and could not be used during inclement weather. The school received funding for the upgrade from the PTA and John Shepherd Select – a leading Midlands residential property specialist, which has an office in Balsall Common.
The process:
Balsall Common Primary school considers physical education to be a fundamental part of a well rounded curriculum. As such, outdoor play is actively encouraged. The school was keen to provide its nursery children with an outdoor environment that would effectively be an extension of the indoor classroom, to enable children to explore and develop their physical, mental and social capabilities.
Sovereign approached the school to establish whether they would like any specialist work undertaken and the company was subsequently commissioned to transform the nursery garden.
The installation:
Balsall Common Primary school considers physical education to be a fundamental part of a well rounded curriculum. As such, outdoor play is actively encouraged. The school was keen to provide its nursery children with an outdoor environment that would effectively be an extension of the indoor classroom, to enable children to explore and develop their physical, mental and social capabilities.
Sovereign approached the school to establish whether they would like any specialist work undertaken and the company was subsequently commissioned to transform the nursery garden.
The benefits:
- Additional and varied sensory stimulation for the children
- JPlanters are providing opportunity for inclusive outdoor nature lessons
- New features are encouraging children toexercise their imaginations more during play
- The area is providing plenty of scope or physical play
- Benched seating has created the opportunity for further social interaction between the children
- The garden can now be used for most of the school year
“Our garden is wonderful and the children have an amazing time. We have planted fruit and vegetables in our garden and the mushrooms and the extra seating provides a quiet area in the shade. Overall we love the garden and it has had a huge impact on our outdoor learning.”
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