Newfield - Eden Play

Newfield Case Study

The Brief:

Newfield School in Blackburn, a specialist setting for children with additional needs, approached Eden Play to transform their outdoor areas into a more purposeful and inclusive learning environment.

Their existing playground zones lacked cohesion and no longer supported the developmental, sensory, and emotional needs of their pupils. The school envisioned a space that would encourage movement, imaginative play, and sensory exploration, while also helping pupils transition smoothly from indoor to outdoor learning.

A key priority was the creation of calming, structured shelters to support emotional regulation and provide protection from the elements. The goal was to build a vibrant, accessible outdoor provision that reflected the school’s identity and gave every child the opportunity to explore, communicate, and thrive.

Our approach:

We began by listening closely to Newfield’s staff and observing how pupils interacted with the existing playground zones. Our design team focused on creating a space that would feel safe, stimulating, and emotionally supportive, especially for pupils with sensory processing differences.

Central to our approach was the integration of three bespoke sensory shelters, designed to act as transitional spaces between the classroom and the playground. These shelters were tailored to offer a place for individuals to change into outdoor clothing, along with providing shade and rain protection, and visual stimulation, using bold primary colours that echoed the school’s logo and created a sense of familiarity and joy. We divided the playground into distinct zones, each with a clear purpose: physical challenge, messy sensory play, and open-ended imaginative exploration. Surfacing was upgraded with artificial grass and wet pour to ensure durability and accessibility. Inclusive equipment, vibrant colours, and thoughtful layouts were chosen to promote independence, confidence, and communication.

Throughout the process, we worked flexibly with the school to ensure pupil safety and adapted our designs to meet their evolving needs. This results in a space that truly reflects Newfield’s inclusive ethos and commitment to outdoor learning.

Before

After

What we delivered:

Eden Play delivered a fully reimagined outdoor provision that now supports a wide range of play experiences and developmental needs.

In Area 1, we installed a climbing playhouse with ramps, stairs, and a slide, alongside a bike track with line markings and a ramp for trikes. A large bespoke sensory shelter anchors the space, featuring colourful sensory panel windows, seating, storage, and bike parking—creating a structured hub for active and imaginative play.

Area 2 was resurfaced with blue/black fleck wet pour and enclosed with picket fencing to define a messy play zone. This includes a sandpit with seating, loose parts storage, and a second sensory shelter designed for tactile exploration and collaborative play.

Area 3 offers a flexible open space with artificial grass and a third sensory shelter, ideal for creative play and emotional decompression.

Each shelter was custom-built to support pupils’ transitions from indoor to outdoor settings, offering calm, shaded environments that encourage regulation and readiness to engage.

The vibrant colours, inclusive layouts, and sensory-rich features have transformed the playground into a dynamic learning environment that reflects the school’s values and supports pupils’ growth across physical, social, and emotional domains.

The Outcome:

The new Explorers Outdoor Provision has had an immediate and profound impact. Pupils now transition more smoothly from classroom to outdoor play, using the shelters as familiar spaces to regulate and prepare for learning.

Staff have observed increased confidence, communication, and engagement, highlighted by moments like a pupil using their voice to request “water” during messy play, a significant milestone for that child.

The playground is now used year-round, with each zone offering structured opportunities for movement, sensory exploration, and imaginative play. The bold colours and thoughtful design have made the space feel joyful and welcoming, perfectly aligned with Newfield’s identity.

The project has delivered more than just a play area, it’s created a vibrant extension of the classroom that supports holistic development and celebrates every child’s potential. The pupils’ handmade thank-you card to Eden Play says it all: this is a space where children feel seen, supported, and inspired to explore.

Happily recommend

"The team at Eden Play have been extremely supportive throughout our project to fully redesign our outdoor area. Throughout the design process, the team understood what we wanted and made our vision come to life, taking on feedback and making adjustments to suit our needs. The outdoor area was redesigned for a SEND setting, and Eden Play listened and made bespoke changes to suit our requirements. The installation process ran extremely smoothly, thanks to the excellent communication of the team on-site, who worked with us flexibly to ensure pupil safety. Matt and team were brilliant throughout! The support continued with the after care too, with the team coming back to offer solutions and complete any snagging work efficiently. It has been a pleasure getting to know the team at Eden Play, who have all been extremely professional and supportive from start to finish. I would happily recommend them to others and would have them back for any future projects."

Katrina Heywood, Newfield School

View more of our pictures from Newfield below…