The answer is simply to contact the local council as every council is different, most don’t have any issues with any structure that is classed as ‘Temporary’ however we have come across some very interesting sites on our travels around the UK.

A couple of years ago we were asked to install a Trim Trail (of which nothing was above 6ft high, i might add) in Kent. The green light was given and we started the installation with the usual H&S in place i.e. Risk assessments and Method Statements, the job was going swimmingly, that is until the Headteacher came running out of the school shouting “stop stop!” apparently a neighbour had complained to the local council and it was decided that this installation would need planning permission! we had never heard of Trim Trails ever having an issue with planning up until this point although we have had a few cases of this since.

Needless to say it took several months for the planning to be accepted and I am sure the children will agree it was worth the wait!

Gazebo’s, Shelters and Outdoor Classroom’s have always been a bit more tricky than other playground equipment mainly due to the height, although generally speaking they are still classed as a temporary structure. Most schools don’t require planning but those that do, don’t usually have an issue with getting planning to have a Shelter built.

The moral of the story is that it is always worth a quick phone call to your local planning officer to double check.

Good Luck…

Read the full report here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17873519

We at Playground Markings Direct Ltd believe that sport and physical exercise doesn’t have to be boring and can take many forms. We can supply Trim Trails to bring physical fun to any play area, with many configurations for trim trails the possibilities are endless.

If you do not have the space for the full trim trials the check out the single item trim trails or the climbing frames.

For the younger player then the options are fun and interactive too. Please browse the activity panels and the outdoor play areas of our website.

Get those kids outside…

Playground Improvement

Up to 40 West Midland Schools have applied for government funding totalling £300m. This is primarily to be used to restore run down school buildings, playgrounds and playground equipment.  The total fund is reported to be up to £3bn available to properties in England. All applications will be fully assessed by the Priority School Building Programme, created by the government.

Read the full story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17560488

We are extremely encouraged by this news and see the importance for the correct environment for children to flourish. Of course all areas of schools have to be reviewed and we specialise in playground equipment. All out play equipment has to be maintained and used correctly, not only for longevity of the play equipment but to encourage the use of all playground equipment.

Of course there are obvious positive health benefits of playing outside such as a reduction in the risk of certain diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Running and jumping builds stronger bones and muscles. How many children are getting enough vitamin D? The best source of vitamin D is the sun and when a child spends all their time indoors, his risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency is high – which could lead to health problems later in life.

Aside from this, after many years of working with schools installing playground equipment throughout the UK, PMD have seen first hand how much of a positive impact outdoor play has in improving social skills – positive interaction & building relationships is just as important as the physical benefits.

When the trail is being used during school break times, ideally part of the supervision should be carried out by older pupils alongside adults. This will also be an opportunity to demonstrate ideas about the use of the equipment to the younger pupils so it is not just keeping an eye on smaller children.

To further develop this I suggest that older pupils draw up programmes for different stages in the school. For example this can involve taking to the beam and outlining simple approaching and leaving the beam safely for nursery and early years, simple balances, combination of balances to working in pairs with older pupils. A written and pictorial card for each stage can be on display at relevant times. This covers all pupils becoming successful learners as well as developing the skills previously mentioned above.

All schools are now actively promoting more P.E. time in the curriculum. The trim trail is an excellent opportunity for teachers to take pupils outside to use the trail as part of outdoor activities. This relieves the pressure on hall spaces in schools and is also a whole lot of fun. P.E. For many children P.E can be a chore, something they dread as they are not very good at ball sports, athletics or gymnastics. A trim trail can take away this fear and the added benefit is that it can provide a challenge and keep children fit and healthy.

Please view our trim trails and don’t hesitate to contact us on 01477 533 555 should you require any further information. We are also currently running a special offer to receive a Free hopscotch floor marking for customers spending over £1000 with us.*

*we reserve the right to change the free product based on stock levels

We use Wet pour safety surfacing to convert any area to a safe play area with running track, long jump, throwing area and more for your budding Olympians. Your school can host its own Olympics whenever you like.

Please call us on 01477 536 006 or contact us HERE for more information.

The Children’s Society says if ministers tie eligibility to an income level, then thousands of parents may choose to work less to qualify for FSM.The government says it wants to ensure poor families do not lose out. Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said the changes to the welfare system mean that there would have to be changes to the way free school meals were allocated.

Although no plans have been published, ministers are considering basing eligibility on income and the Children’s Society says it believes the level being considered is £7,500 a year. And it is warning that this would create a benefits “cliff-edge” that could see 120,000 families worse off. In its analysis of the idea, the society says: “Were an earnings threshold of £7,500 introduced for entitlement to free school meals under the Universal Credit, this would mean around 120,000 families in England (with a total of around 350,000 school-age children) could be put in a position where they would be better off if they dropped their earnings… to below the £7,500 earnings threshold in order to bring them into entitlement for free school meals.”

Read more….BBC News Website

There is a vast choice of equipment on the market for schools to look into. You may want to look into a new swing or a slide. Why not think about building a climbing frame around the slide, adding ropes, bridges, targets and scrabble nets. This would provide a full array of different pieces of equipment all in one place for each child to play and feed their imagination. You can even purchased imaginary climbing frames such as a princess castle or pirates ship. If you would prefer different pieces of equipment spread around an area rather then in a central point. It may be worth looking into a trim trial range. This range include items such as balancing beams, monkey bars and poles made out of timber which may be purchased as a single item and added to or as a circuit to spread around an area. Purchasing a single item, gives you the option to add to the pieces at a later date should your school budget be a little tight. Trim trials can be installed practically on any flooring and made with anti rot and infestation. To add colour and pattern to your play area Look into transforming a plain wall with pictures, games and targets or a climbing wall. All pieces are fantastic for encouraging coordination and physical ability whatever the age.

Play time is many child’s favourite time of the school day. Imagine if you livened up their playtime with some fantastic playground equipment not only to play and love but to develop and encourage physical activity, coordination, imagination and team work but most importantly keep them healthy through physical activity.

Imagine each child’s face as they go out to play for a well deserved break at school and they are faced with a magnificent pirate’s ship or castle which is full of things to develop them physically and mentally. Whether they are scrabbling over nets, climbing up and down the fireman’s pole or firing targets, they all feed the children’s imagination and encourage not only physical activity but social skills and co-ordination too.

Playground equipment can be purchased as single pieces or a huge array of pieces but together to build up a circuit for the children to work round. Balancing beams, monkey bars and scrabble nets are all good fun and develop body strength in each use. You could work around these single items, not only by other pieces of equipment but by some flooring also. Flooring such as wet pour is extremely clever nowadays. Any design, colour,  game or picture can be put on to the ground so not only can the children develop through the climbing equipment but can be encouraged to build on mathematic knowledge, co ordination and social skills working around some waterproof ground designs. Wet pour is also used as safety surfacing as well.

Currently schools have to meet targets set to them by the government, not only in the class room but in outdoor play too. What better way to do this than with some playground equipment at the same time as giving each child the opportunity to build their imagination and most importantly want their faces whilst they do this and have fun.