Case Details
Location
United Kingdom
Customer
Norwich, Norfolk
Sector
age group
5+
User Capacity
50+
School playground for children with ASD
Acorn Park School is part of the Outcomes First Group, which runs around 40 Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools, colleges and homes for municipalities across the UK. Acorn Park School is for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to an extent that makes it too demanding for them to join their local school.
"The signs and the play equipment extend their ability to express and regulate their emotions. This makes it easier for them to concentrate when they are back in the classroom"
Selina Wightman, Therapy and Wellbeing
Create truly inclusive Playground experiences
The playground design is varied and transparent: it is easy to overview the playground thanks to the thoughtful lightness in the design of the play structures, including the tall ones that might otherwise have blocked the view.
Each zone and play equipment selection has guiding signs explaining wilder or more soothingly moving play equipment, where there is body awareness or auditive and visually stimulating equipment. The signage helps children, but also caregivers and therapists, who do not necessarily know how play equipment can benefit the sensory development of the pupils. They will know where to find wilder or more soothing moving play equipment for play in groups or on their own.
The pupils need to swing, climb, spin and move in various ways, repeatedly, over a long period of time, to build up the age-typical sensory skills. The various movements help children not only build body awareness but also regulate feelings.
Ready to build an inclusive school playground of your own? Learn how to design an inclusive playground and gather inspiration of your own.
Physical
Joy of movement: motor skills, muscle, cardio and bone density
Social-Emotional
Joy of being together: teamwork, tolerance and sense of belonging
Cognitive
Joy of learning: curiosity, understanding of causal relationships and knowledge of the worldEquipment at this park
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