The idea of learning outside the classroom isn’t a new or pioneering way of thinking, as the Department of Education stressed its importance with this thought provoking statement ten years ago: “We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.”

This has been used as a foundation for showing how getting pupils beyond the confines of a classroom and outside is essential for engaging learning, improving fitness and well-being and, in the case of many children with SEN, developing social and behaviour skills.

Despite this being known for the last ten years, the corresponding push to get children in SEN schools introduced to SEN outdoor learning has been hampered by the facilities at many schools, which haven’t had the ability to offer outdoor play as their amenities don’t meet the unique requirements of pupils with SEN. If the special requirements of children with SEN are not considered when designing play facilities, this can lead to play surfaces that present dangerous and intimidating play, without promoting engagement in outdoor learning.

At Synthetic Turf Management (STM) we are artificial turf playground surfacing specialists who identify the opportunities that schools can offer pupils with SEN- with the right mix of design installation of safe play artificial turf playgrounds, which lead to the creation of EPIC (Education and Play in Colour).

Using coloured artificial turf that is safe, engaging and all- weather can develop learning environments that offer a new visual and sensory stimulation which are of particular benefit for those young people with learning difficulties, as this can be liberating for those who struggle in a structured school learning environment. This again extensively supports SEN outdoor learning.

An outdoor SEN learning space

Creating fun and encouraging learning

Synthetic Turf Management’s project at Severndale Specialist Academy is a great example of how the right play surface can transform the learning of the pupils at the school through SEN outdoor learning. Severndale is attended by pupils aged between three and 19 who have a range of learning difficulties, from moderate to profound. STM were tasked with creating a space for these pupils that is fun, safe, and encourages learning for the pupils at the school.

With over 15 years’ experience working with artificial turf and school, STM offered Serverndale a combination of the right products that fit all the safety requirement of a play surface, while using their installation and design experience to use this turf to create a stunning visual area. The final project, a “Sea World”, looked fantastic, as the images on this page show.

The designs of the EPIC surface

Jon Bell, Director at Synthetic Turf Management, has his say on the experience of the project: “As a former teacher, I appreciate the importance of having the right facilities to ensure the pupils have the right learning environment, and this is even more important in SEN schools. At Severndale they needed a playground that was colourful and safe and we were delighted to help.

“As the artificial grass was produced, we were thrilled to see the playground surface take shape. Brightly coloured fish, seahorses and starfish sat on a sea-blue background; we were certain that the Severndale pupils would be very happy.

“This was a hugely successful project, and we were incredibly proud to have been a part of it. Severndale now enjoys the benefits of having a soft artificial turf area that offers much more than a normal playground surface.”

The phenomenal end result!

Synthetic Turf Management continues to work closely with schools designing EPIC playgrounds. To contact STM and take advantage of our free consultation service:

Call 01642 713 555

Or email info@stmworld.co.uk