FOUNDATION stage children at a Todmorden primary school will soon be looking forward to using their new playground - which to passers-by on the roadside will look like it is up in the sky.
The youngsters will be able to step straight out of their classroom door at Shade School onto the new £100,000 playground, which is being constructed on heavy duty steel supports many feet above the playground at the Rochdale Road side of the buildin
g!
The 7 metres by 12 metres design, which has been produced by White, Young and Green of Leeds, who are specialists in this type of playground construction, has been arrived at after several years' discussion among staff and governors at the school as to where a playground for the younger children could be best provided.
It incorporates a safety wall for the children which means the three to five-year-olds will still have the views of the opposite hillside to look at while the all-weather non-stick safety playing surface of their playground will incorporate sand, water and a garden area.
A place for role-playing, it is an extension of their classroom and is a major investment for the school, said teachers Jamie Green and Diane Barlow.
Mr Green said the new play area will give the children prime access to their own play area and give them the choice of whether to go outside to play or stay in.
"We have been planning this for a good few years, looking for a suitable area around the school. Lots of different ideas were discussed before choosing this option. By the time is finished it will cost around £100,000 including a canopy and the school has put aside money in the budget for two years to fund it," he said.
Mrs Barlow said that the school's foundation stage was passionate about providing the best for the children.
"The outdoors gives a unique opportunity to play, co-operate and develop friendships in a safe, fun environment.
"There are also the health aspects as the children can get some fresh air and can play out, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills and become independent, learning about communication and sharing. We already have excellent provision indoors and this adds to it," she said.
The construction work, by Haley Brothers (Builders) of Hebden Bridge, has already begun and the school hopes the new foundation stage playground will be ready to open in December.
