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What benefits can outdoor furniture bring to your school playground?

Posted on 23rd September 2024

What benefits can outdoor furniture bring to your school playground?

In today’s school environment, playgrounds and outdoor spaces are utilised much more than in previous years due to funding or schools taking on more students.

They are considered by many Headteachers as an extension of the classroom environment. Whether you are a Headteacher looking to upgrade your educational environment or a Purchasing Manager tasked with making cost-effective investments for your school, we will discuss outdoor furniture and the benefits they bring to pupils.

A significant influence on an outdoor space and how it is used by pupils is the furniture that sits within it. They are important tools that can enhance both the educational experience and the overall well-being of students. As well as developing a fully cohesive look as an extension of the school’s character and identity, outdoor furniture can transform these spaces into versatile, functional areas that support a wide range of learning and developmental activities.

Using canopies and shelters to extend the learning environment

Canopies and shelters play a crucial role in extending the classroom and dining area into the playground, meaning schools can utilise more of their available space to support the ever-demanding needs of the curriculum.

Outdoor dining canopy for school

Even with the unpredictable UK weather, furniture pieces such as benches and picnic tables enable teachers to conduct lessons surrounded by nature.

Not only does this bring benefits to the children such as increased concentration and well-being with being in the fresh air, but also provides a more interactive lesson for the teacher as they can carry out science lessons studying local flora and the natural environment.

Promotes mental well-being

Modern societal demands now deem schools to be more than just academic results, they are places to support and enhance the mental well-being of children.

Benches and picnic tables are not just seating or somewhere for children to eat, they are areas to help children socialise and relax. Studies have shown that having these designated areas for children boosts self-esteem and social skills; when they return to the classroom they have increased focus.

Facilitating a more inclusive playground environment

Creating an inclusive environment is a fundamental goal for any school, and the playground is a key area where this inclusivity can be visibly demonstrated.

Outdoor furniture plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, feel welcomed, valued, and able to participate fully in school life.

Plateau picnic table

Examples include picnic tables and benches with access points for wheelchair users to comfortably use the furniture. Regarding children with sensory needs, outdoor furniture such as seating can be positioned away from main play zones to help give children a break from the sensory overload of a busy playground.

Also, SEN students often require specific adaptations to ensure they can access and benefit from outdoor spaces just like their peers. This includes making playgrounds and outdoor furniture accessible, safe, and accommodating to a wide range of physical, cognitive, and sensory needs.

For example, SEN students may experience sensitivity to noise, bright lights, or busy environments. To address this, comfortable seating in calming spaces can serve as sensory breaks. Soft-touch or non-abrasive materials for furniture can also enhance sensory comfort, ensuring SEN students feel relaxed and safe while seated.

Final thoughts

Investing in outdoor furniture for your school playground is more than simply purchasing a few benches, tables or recycling bins, it is about creating a vibrant, multifunctional and inclusive environment that supports the mental development and well-being of your students.

While the benefits of outdoor furniture in school playgrounds are clear, it is natural for headteachers and purchasing managers to have concerns when considering such investments.

Outdoor furniture is not just about enhancing the immediate functionality of your school playground, it is a long-term strategy for improving your school’s cohesive infrastructure to benefit your students.

It is important to not only consider the practicality of outdoor furniture pieces i.e. how will the furniture benefit children, but it is also important to think about the durability and ongoing maintenance. Think about choosing materials that can withstand the daily wear and tear of heavy use, as well as exposure to the elements.

Materials like treated wood, metal, or high-grade plastic are designed to resist weather damage, fading, and corrosion, ensuring that the furniture remains functional and visually appealing for many years.

If you are considering new outdoor furniture for your school, talk to our team here at AMV Playgrounds.

We have worked with headteachers and purchasing managers for over 30 years, helping to transform playgrounds into outdoor spaces that enhance learning, promote physical and mental well-being and promote inclusivity.

All our playground equipment is made in our UK-based factory, by skilled tradesmen, and comes with an extensive 25-year warranty against rust and corrosion on steel furniture.

Finally, AMV Playgrounds is fully committed to minimising potential negative impacts on the environment arising from our company’s operations. This is in line with the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy.

We are here to help realise your vision of a better playground environment for your school’s children.

Contact our team today on telephone 01704 898 919, email sales@amvplaygrounds.co.uk

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