Holy Trinity, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Project Snapshot

Case Study: Making the Most of the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant at Holy Trinity Primary School, Burton upon Trent

The Brief

Transforming a Restricted Nursery Playground into an Inspiring Early Years Environment

Holy Trinity Primary School in Burton upon Trent secured funding through the Schools-Based Nursery Capital Grant to transform its ageing nursery outdoor provision. The existing play area had become tired, restrictive and no longer met the needs of modern early years learning.

The Headteacher invited five specialist playground companies to develop proposals for the project. Following the design presentations, ESP was selected thanks to our innovative approach to maximising the limited space, our ability to deliver bespoke solutions, our use of laminated timber, market-leading guarantees, and our competitive pricing.

The Challenge

The original outdoor area was dominated by a traditional play tower which didn’t comply with current safety standards. Not only did it consume a significant proportion of the available space, but it also restricted opportunities for broader learning and exploration.

The staff wanted an outdoor environment that supported all seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), but with such a compact footprint, overcrowding the space with fixed equipment would have limited both play value and flexibility.

The challenge was to create a resource-rich environment that remained open, adaptable and inviting for young children.

Our Solution

Rather than filling the playground with large pieces of fixed equipment, we focused on creating a series of flexible learning zones using open-ended resources that could support multiple activities and evolve alongside children’s imagination.

Removing the obsolete play tower immediately opened up the space, allowing us to completely rethink how the area functioned.

Flexible Play for Active Learning

To encourage gross motor development, collaborative play and creativity, we introduced a large open-ended block set alongside a bespoke Wildwood Hollow Log. These versatile resources provide countless opportunities for climbing, balancing, den building, obstacle courses and imaginative play, allowing children to shape their own experiences every day.

Inspiring Imaginative Play

The footprint previously occupied by the old play tower was transformed into a vibrant role play zone featuring:

• A block-paved roadway for imaginative transport and movement play.
• An open-ended playhouse adaptable to a variety of learning themes.
• A dedicated construction zone encouraging collaborative problem solving and creative thinking.

This flexible area now supports communication, language development and social interaction while remaining adaptable throughout the school year.

A Purpose-Built Messy Play Zone

Working with the unique shape of the site, we created a dedicated sensory and messy play area incorporating:

• A covered sand pit.
• A magnetic water wall encouraging experimentation and STEM learning.
• A moveable water play tray for flexible investigations.
• A bespoke L-shaped mud kitchen designed specifically to maximise the available space.

Together, these features provide endless opportunities for sensory exploration, imaginative play and collaborative learning.

Every Surface Designed with Purpose

To create visual interest while supporting different styles of play, the entire playground was unified through a carefully selected combination of surfacing materials, including:

• Resin-bound gravel.
• High-quality artificial grass.
• Rubber mulch.
• Block paving.
• Wetpour safety surfacing.

These contrasting textures not only enhance accessibility and aesthetics but also contribute to children’s sensory development.

Unlocking Hidden Potential

A previously unused corridor of space was reimagined as a mark-making and creative learning area.

By installing chalkboards and dry wipe boards, we transformed what had once been redundant space into a valuable extension of the learning environment, ensuring every square metre of the playground contributes to children’s development.

The Outcome

The completed playground is a dynamic, flexible outdoor learning environment that fully supports the seven areas of EYFS learning while making exceptional use of a compact site.

Through thoughtful design and carefully selected open-ended resources, we created a space that encourages imagination, physical development, communication, creativity and sensory exploration without feeling crowded or constrained.

To provide complete peace of mind, the entire development was independently inspected on completion and certified as fully compliant at no additional cost to the school.

The project demonstrates how intelligent design can transform even the most restricted outdoor environments into inspiring learning spaces that deliver exceptional educational value. By looking beyond conventional playground design, ESP helped Holy Trinity Primary School unlock the full potential of its nursery outdoor provision, creating a space that will benefit children for many years to come.