This Fabulous Playground in Pontefract was Installed at De Lacy Primary for Pontefract Academies Trust

A New Early Years Playground in Pontefract for De Lacy Primary

De Lacy opened in the summer of 2010. The school replaced Pontefract Willow Park Junior School and Pontefract Chequerfield Infant School and joined Pontefract Academies Trust in 2013.

With around 350 pupils aged 3–11, De Lacy has a strong ethos of inclusion, taking pride in encouraging all children to be confident and independent learners and to care for themselves as well as others around them. The school set extremely high standards relating to respect, resilience and achievement. They are constantly striving to provide their pupils with the best possible education and opportunities in every way. Their children are at the centre of every decision they make in school.

ESP Play have worked with Pontefract Academies Trust to design and install the early years outdoor play areas in each of their six primary schools. Having transformed the EYFS outdoor play areas at The Rookeries, Halfpenny Lane, Orchard Head, Larks Hill, and Carleton Park Primary, the Trust have now completed a significant programme of investment with the completion of the new early years outdoor play area at De Lacy Primary.

This stunning development includes:

• A Natural Water Feature and Magnetic Water Wall
• A Construction Zone
• Many Physical Development Stations for Gross and Fine Motor Development
• Staging for Performances and Role Play
• Outdoor Story and Reading Areas
• A combined Garden Area and Allotment Area
• A Block Paving Roadway
• Large Marking Making

All these products have been brought together with a brand new surface using a beige resin bonded gravel surface to create a fabulous natural feel to the play area.

The school aim is to create independent learners and develop enquiring minds; enable all children to overcome any barriers and reach their full potential, in whatever field that may be. Its particularly important to the school that all children value themselves as unique individuals and respecting differences. This investment in the outdoor provision for the early years will provide their pupils with the best possible outdoor learning experience and start to life at De Lacy.

James Parkinson, Headteacher of De Lacy Primary said “I showed Tom Fay, Director of Primary for the Trust, around the new outdoor provision earlier today. As you would expect, he was over the moon with the outcome and the quality. From what it was to what it has become is transformational.”