St Piers School and College are fundraising for a fully inclusive outdoor play area for our students.
Our project we are seeking funding for is the creation of a new purpose‑built, fully inclusive outdoor play area for our students. We have an ideal but currently unused site: a set of disused tennis courts that offer a solid hard‑standing base, excellent drainage, and ample space for disability‑friendly equipment. This presents a cost‑effective and sustainable opportunity for redevelopment.
We are working with experienced specialist designers to create a dynamic and fully inclusive outdoor play area that will support:
- Inclusive Play – Accessible for all students, including wheelchair users and those with sensory sensitivities and significant learning needs.
- Physical Development – Equipment to improve balance, strength, coordination and stamina, supporting physiotherapy and occupational therapy goals.
- Sensory Integration – Features such as trampolines, roundabouts and swings to help regulate sensory input for students with autism, ADHD and sensory processing differences.
- Social and Emotional Development – A shared space for cooperative play, communication, relationship‑building and confidence.
- Real‑World Skills – Supporting risk awareness, independence and navigation of new environments.
We are particularly focused on equipment that supports vestibular and proprioceptive development, including sunken trampolines, wheelchair‑accessible roundabouts, varied landscaping and balance challenges, alongside more traditional playground features such as climbing frames and slides.
The Need
Outdoor play is an essential part of our students’ development. However, many of our pupils are unable to access public playgrounds due to behavioural, mobility, continence or sensory processing challenges, as well as practical barriers such as transport and staffing. Our students need a safe, familiar and inclusive space where they can explore, take appropriate risks, and develop physically, emotionally and socially.
Until recently, St Piers students benefited from a wooden playground funded by the Wooden Spoon charity over 20 years ago. This much‑loved space provided vital opportunities for physical activity, play, movement and social interaction, particularly for our residential
students during evenings and weekends. The loss of this facility has left a significant gap in provision. For our students, play is not a luxury, it is essential.
