Regenerating Elham C of E Primary School's outdoor space

Creating Space to Grow: Revamping Elham Church of England Primary School’s Outdoors

This summer, our team had the chance to step into a different kind of project – one not about homes, but about helping children make the most of theirs.

Elham Primary School had an outdoor space that, through no fault of their own, had become difficult to use. Years of wear and limited resources had left it tired and unsafe, meaning teachers had little choice but to restrict how it could be enjoyed. Knowing how important time outdoors is for learning, play, and imagination, the school wanted to see the space brought back to life in a way that would work for both staff and pupils.

The Brief

The school needed more than just a makeover – they needed an outdoor space that really worked for them. It had to be safe and inspiring, somewhere the children could enjoy every single day. It also had to be flexible: easily managed by one teacher when needed, but adaptable for larger groups when more staff were present.

On top of that, the design needed to support the Reception and Year 1 curriculum, while remaining low-maintenance and long-lasting so teachers could focus on what matters most – the children, not the upkeep.

The Transformation

We began by completely clearing the space, removing unsafe structures and tired features to make way for something fresh. From there, we reimagined the outdoors into distinct zones that supported play, learning, and exploration:

Active play: A once out-of-bounds tarmac area was levelled, softened with artificial grass, and given new life as a safe space for sport and large-scale activities. Donated cable reels became multi-use play features—seats, obstacle courses, or whatever the children dream up.

Discovery and nature: Old tyres were transformed into planters filled with herbs and grasses, inviting children to explore scent, texture and role play. A tired corner was turned into a low-maintenance rock garden, doubling as a space for reading, writing, or creative play.

Imagination and creativity: We enhanced the outdoor stage with a new backdrop, added a refreshed mud kitchen, and created cosy reading nooks with beanbags so children could lose themselves in a book beneath the sky. A relocated blackboard now offers endless opportunities for writing, maths, or drawing right in the heart of the garden.

Construction and problem solving: Artificial grass was laid in the construction zone, making it a safer, cleaner space for children to build, create and collaborate.

The Impact

The result is an outdoor space that feels purposeful, safe, and inspiring – a place where children can learn, play and grow with confidence. Most importantly, it’s a space designed with the realities of teaching in mind: flexible, low-maintenance, and ready to support both small and larger groups.

The response from the school has been overwhelming. The teachers are thrilled with how the space has been transformed, and the children now have a safe, stimulating environment that supports both their learning and their joy.