Creating a Year-Round Nature Area at St John Fisher RC Primary School, Manchester

School profile

The school had plenty of trees within its grounds but wanted to make better use of its outdoor space by introducing planters, habitats and other features that would encourage children to investigate nature and grow their own flowers and vegetables.

The new area was also intended to support Forest School activities, outdoor lessons and wellbeing, providing children with a peaceful space where they could spend time outdoors and learn in a different environment.

After searching online for a local playground company, the school contacted ESP Play to help bring their ideas to life.

The challenge

The school had a suitable area on its field but needed to transform it into a practical, accessible nature zone that could be used throughout the year.

They wanted to provide opportunities for children to plant and grow flowers and vegetables, while also encouraging them to observe and learn about insects and other wildlife.

The school had already received a design and quotation from another company. While they liked some of the proposed features, including a bug hotel and investigation table, they didn’t feel that other elements such as a fire pit and compost heap would provide enough benefit for their pupils.

The school also needed to consider the ground conditions and accessibility of the site.

The proposed nature area was on the school field, while the access route from the gates at the top of the banking was relatively steep. The school initially wanted bark surfacing but needed a surface that would be practical, low maintenance and provide good grip underfoot.

They also wanted the new area to feel contained and welcoming, with enough seating for a full class of 30 children.

The solution

A bespoke nature area with Rubber Mulch surfacing, growing features and wildlife habitats.

ESP Play worked with the school to develop a design based around the features they felt would provide the greatest benefit to their children.

The completed nature area features:

• Rubber Mulch safety surfacing
• A winding pathway from the gates to the nature area
• Raised planters forming the boundary of the zone
• A trellis archway entrance
• A split growing box for flowers and vegetables
• An Investigation Table
• A Ladybird Tower
• An Insect Habitat
• A Butterfly Box
• Two Tier Amphitheatre seating
• Long and short simple benches
• A dedicated storytelling chair for the teacher

The design makes use of the school’s existing perimeter fencing, with raised planters creating a natural boundary around the area.

The trellis archway provides an attractive entrance and can also be used by the children to grow climbing flowers, helping the nature area evolve and change throughout the seasons.

Choosing Rubber Mulch Instead of Bark

The school initially requested bark surfacing for the nature area.

ESP Play explained the differences between bark and Rubber Mulch, allowing the school to make an informed decision based on the requirements of the site.

Rubber Mulch offers a natural appearance and, particularly in brown, has a look similar to traditional bark. It is also comparable in price while offering a number of practical advantages.

Unlike loose bark, Rubber Mulch is bonded together, meaning it stays in place rather than moving around the play area. This makes it a lower-maintenance option, with less need for regular sweeping and topping up.

Rubber Mulch is also made from recycled rubber and provides a soft, resilient surface underfoot.

For the access pathway, this was particularly important. The banking leading down from the gates was steep, so the school wanted a winding, curved route rather than a straight path. The Rubber Mulch provides additional grip underfoot, helping to create a more practical route into the new nature area.

After considering the advantages and disadvantages of both options, the school chose Rubber Mulch as the preferred surfacing solution.

Encouraging Nature and Outdoor Learning

The new nature area has been designed to give children hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world.

The split growing box provides space for children to grow vegetables, flowers and other plants, helping them learn about where food comes from and how plants develop.

The Investigation Table gives children the opportunity to examine nature at close range, with a magnified view helping them observe small insects, leaves and other natural discoveries.

Wildlife features including the Ladybird Tower, Insect Habitat and Butterfly Box encourage insects into the area, creating further opportunities for children to observe wildlife and learn about different species.

Together, these features help turn the space into an outdoor classroom where children can learn through direct experience and exploration.

Safety Considerations

Safety and accessibility were important considerations when planning the new nature area.

The site was located on a school field, with a steep banking leading down from the gates. The school therefore wanted an access route that would be practical and provide suitable grip underfoot.

Rather than creating a straight pathway down the banking, ESP Play designed a winding and curved route that follows the contours of the site.

Rubber Mulch was selected for the surfacing because its bonded construction helps prevent the material from moving underfoot, while its soft and resilient properties make it suitable for an outdoor children’s environment.

The use of raised planters also helped to define the nature area and create a clear boundary between the growing and wildlife zone and the surrounding field.

Installation

ESP Play worked with the school to transform the existing area into a dedicated nature and Forest School zone.

The school’s existing perimeter fencing was incorporated into the design, while raised planters were used to create the boundary around the new area.

A trellis archway was installed at the entrance, providing a welcoming feature that the children can eventually cover with climbing flowers.

The winding pathway was created from the top of the banking down to the nature area, providing a practical route into the space.

The Rubber Mulch surface was then installed throughout the designated areas, creating a natural-looking and low-maintenance finish.

The various growing, investigation and wildlife features were installed alongside a range of seating, including the Two Tier Amphitheatre and dedicated storytelling chair.

The result is a fully equipped nature area that can be accessed and used throughout the year.

The outcome

A year-round nature area for Forest School, outdoor learning and wellbeing.

The completed project has transformed an underused section of the school grounds into a beautiful and multifunctional nature area.

Children can now:

• Grow flowers and vegetables
• Explore insects and wildlife
• Investigate nature up close
• Learn about the natural environment
• Take part in Forest School activities
• Enjoy outdoor lessons
• Socialise and learn together
• Use the space as a peaceful wellbeing area
• Enjoy stories and group activities outdoors

The combination of growing areas, wildlife habitats, investigation equipment and seating means the space can be used in a variety of ways throughout the school year.

The nature area also has enough seating for a full class of 30 children, allowing teachers to use the space for whole-class activities as well as smaller group sessions.

Most importantly, the school now has a dedicated outdoor environment that can develop and evolve as the children grow plants, attract wildlife and use the space for different activities.

Working Within the School’s Budget

The school followed best practice by gathering three quotations for the project.

ESP Play’s quotation was in the middle of the three prices, with the designs from the different companies being broadly similar.

However, ESP Play was the only company to propose Rubber Mulch as the surfacing solution.

Having learned about the benefits of Rubber Mulch, particularly its low-maintenance properties and ability to remain in place, the school preferred this option over loose bark.

The school also valued the fact that ESP Play was a local company, giving them confidence that they were working with a business close to the school.

These factors ultimately led the school to choose ESP Play for the project.

The result: A beautiful outdoor learning environment

St John Fisher RC Primary School now has a dedicated nature area that can be accessed and used throughout the year.

The space provides children with opportunities to grow plants, investigate wildlife and learn about the natural world, while also offering a peaceful environment for wellbeing and outdoor learning.

With Forest School activities, outdoor lessons and other activities planned for the area, the space will become an important part of the school’s outdoor learning provision.

The school was very happy with the installation and service provided by ESP Play and would be happy to work with us again in the future.

They would also be happy to recommend ESP Play to other schools looking to create their own outdoor learning or nature area.

School testimonial

“We were very happy with the installation and service we received from ESP Play. We now have a beautiful nature area that we can access and use all year round.

The area will be used for Forest School as well as other outdoor lessons and activities. We would be happy to work with ESP Play again and would recommend them to other schools.”

St John Fisher RC Primary School, Manchester