St Bede Academy - Eden Play

St. Bede Academy Case Study

The Brief:

St Bede Academy approached Eden Play to design a vibrant outdoor learning environment that would enhance play, creativity, and sensory development for its Reception pupils.

The existing playground was dominated by a dated trim trail and ageing equipment, making the space uninspiring and limiting opportunities for holistic learning. The school envisioned a modern, purpose-built environment that balanced active exploration with calm, reflective areas.

They requested features to promote physical challenge, investigation, and communication, including a bike track, climbing structures, a large sandpit, and clearly defined zones for construction, mark-making, and water play. The aim was to create an engaging space that supported both learning and fun.

Our approach:

To bring St Bede Academy’s vision to life, we began by analysing their detailed brief and taking precise measurements of the outdoor space.

Using 3D design software, we explored multiple layout concepts to ensure every element was thoughtfully positioned.

Our goal was to create a seamless flow between learning zones while maximising available space and celebrating natural features, such as the school’s beautiful mature tree.

We developed a layout that divided the playground into purposeful zones, including areas for physical challenge, sensory play, creativity, and quiet reflection.

Each section was designed to complement the next, encouraging a natural progression through the space. We worked closely with the school to refine the design and select equipment that was both inspiring and practical, ensuring the final scheme reflected St Bede Academy’s vision for a stimulating, low-maintenance outdoor learning environment.

Before

After

What we delivered:

We transformed St Bede Academy’s outdoor area into a dynamic, multi-sensory learning environment, carefully arranged into defined zones to support a wide range of play and learning experiences.

In the Sensory Garden, we installed bespoke Picket Fencing with an inviting Entrance Archway and gate, a Sensory Tepee, Bug Hotel, bespoke Tree Seat, and Sensory Planters with colourful polycarbonate panels to add light and vibrancy.

Grass Top Stools, a Story Chair, and a bespoke Mini Reading Shed enriched the space, promoting literacy and calm exploration.

The texture zone is anchored by a bespoke, castle-inspired sleeper Sandpit, complete with a bridge entrance and Wetpour moat, that serves as a true showstopper. Its striking design invites open-ended play and instantly captures children’s imaginations, making it a central hub for tactile exploration and collaborative fun. Surrounding it, we added a Mud Kitchen with Belfast sink, Texture Table, and Materials Storage, all carefully chosen to encourage sensory discovery, creativity, and sustained engagement.

The construction zone featured our Self-creation Balance Beams, Construction Station, and Mark Making Easel to inspire creativity and teamwork. For expressive play, the performance area included our Stage with Mark Making and Grass Top Seating, perfect for storytelling and imaginative performance.

We added a water play zone with a Water Wall, Water Chutes, and Water Tray, and a physical play zone featuring our Clamber Stack Pebble and Traversing Wall for active challenge. Bespoke Fitted Storage and a Shelter with a Polycarbonate Roof completed the design, creating a cohesive, inspiring, and practical outdoor learning space for all pupils.

The Outcome:

The completed outdoor learning environment at St Bede Academy has transformed how pupils learn and play.

The new zoned layout offers a balanced mix of sensory stimulation, physical challenge, and creative expression, encouraging children to explore, collaborate, and develop new skills in a safe, inspiring setting.

Teachers now use the space as an extension of the classroom, supporting outdoor learning, storytelling, and hands-on discovery.

The combination of natural materials, engaging equipment, and low-maintenance design ensures the playground remains vibrant and durable year-round.

The transformation was even recognised by The Bolton News, which highlighted how the new playground revitalised the space and enhanced pupils’ daily experiences. St Bede Academy now benefits from a truly engaging, functional, and future-ready outdoor learning environment that enriches learning through play every day.

We absolutely love it

"The staff have said how refreshing it is, especially the natural wood and the green grass and the open space. We are extremely happy. The staff love it, and they're keen to come outside. They're keen to join in with the children's learning. The children love it… they are all on task, they're all working independently and showing teamwork. We’ve had a really good experience working with Eden Play. Quick responses, phone calls, updates, they work alongside you, whatever you want, they will support you with and help you with and adapt and change. So, it's been brilliant."

Zoe Quarmby, St. Bede Academy

View more of our pictures from St Bede below…