Road-Themed SEN Playground Supporting Learning, Movement and Regulation | Treetops School
Grays, Essex, RM16 2WU
Discover how a school playground was redesigned into a carefully structured outdoor environment to better support pupils with a wide range of additional needs.
At Treetops SEN School, Creative Play developed a series of 5 interconnected areas that respond to the realities of mixed-ability pupils, where engagement, movement, sensory regulation and calm reflection all need to coexist within the same space.
The design establishes distinct but connected zones that allow pupils to engage in different ways depending on their needs, abilities and confidence on any given day. As a result, the setting now supports both independent and guided learning, while making far greater use of the school’s existing outdoor footprint.
Within this case study, you’ll see:
£135,000 investment in a multi-zone SEN outdoor learning environment
How sensory, physical and learning-based play can coexist within a single cohesive layout
Ways outdoor design can support regulation, focus and engagement across mixed-ability pupils
Practical approaches to developing life skills through real-world movement and navigation
How existing surfacing and spatial constraints can be reworked to unlock educational value
See Drone Footage Of The Completed Project
Treetops SEN School
Founded in 1960 and located in Grays, Essex, Treetops is a school within the Treetops Learning Community Trust, providing a learning environment for children with special educational needs.
With a strong focus on inclusion, practical learning experiences and personal development, the school strives to create a safe, nurturing environment where every achievement is celebrated. Its approach supports learners in developing the skills needed for adult life and active participation within their communities.
With a reputation for bold projects, the school wanted to transform its outdoor play provision into a more purposeful environment for supporting learning, movement and sensory development through a clear and engaging road-themed concept.
The ambition was to move beyond a traditional playground model and instead create distinct outdoor zones for education, physical activity, sensory exploration and imaginative play, helping pupils build confidence, develop independence and regulate emotions more effectively throughout the school day.
Consultation
A site visit from one of Creative Play’s Outdoor Play Expertshelped bring the school’s vision of a road-theme playground to life, refining the layout, surfacing requirements and overall project scope.
The assessment confirmed the space could accommodate all desired play features, with two major pieces of equipment quickly highlighted as the best options for a key focal point, establishing the area as a challenging and engaging environment.
“I can’t fault our working experience. When issues arose, there was always someone I could talk to, and resolutions were always found in a timely manner” – Treetops School
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS: DELIVERING MULTI-SKILL PLAY EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN OF VARYING ABILITIES
State Of Area Before Installation
Before the redevelopment began, the school’s outdoor area required significant improvement to support their ambitions.
Grey, worn surface with limited visual stimulation
No legacy play equipment in need of removal
Outdated markings and vegetation requiring clearance
Insufficient safety surfacing for new equipment heights
Restricted but manageable access for large installations
Potential Work Restrictions
Access to the site was achievable via existing infrastructure, including a large double gate and ample vehicle space within the car park. A bike shelter presented a minor obstruction but could be temporarily relocated if required. Additional access options were also identified through a removable MUGA fence panel.
For the internal quad playground, a set of double doors offered direct access.
Area 1: Sensational Senses
The sights, the sounds, the smells! To stimulate the senses an area was developed with equipment specifically designed to engage minds viscerally. The school was keen to include a broad range of experiences, so a layout was created which allows for a variety of sensory types to be available within a single accessible space.
Bordering one side of a blue pathway are several musical play panels, providing opportunities for auditory exploration. Alongside them are planters and a digging planter that encourage interaction with nature and introduces an olfactory element to the play area.
On the opposite side, more active features include a multi-coloured hopscotch and a 1-to-100 number grid, supporting physical movement while reinforcing numeracy skills. Picnic tables positioned throughout the area provide space for social interaction and observation.
At the centre of the walkway stands a trellis archway, creating a visual gateway between the different experiences. The route culminates in a seating area with chalkboard, providing a place for creativity, communication and reflection after exploring the surrounding sensory features.
Enthusiastic about opportunities for creativity and expression, discussions with the school led to the following music panels being chosen: Drums | Lead Guitar | Batpipes | Xylophone
“We deliberately selected equipment that engages multiple senses rather than solely visual stimulation. By combining music, movement, numeracy, nature and tactile interaction within a single route, the area supports a broader range of developmental outcomes while remaining easy for staff and pupils to navigate.” – Kelly, Play Advisor
Area 2: Big Brains
Education doesn’t have to stop at the classroom door. Treetops wanted to create a dedicated space where lessons, social interaction and independent thinking could take place outdoors, giving pupils an alternative environment in which to learn and engage with one another.
At the heart of the area is an Octavia Shelter, providing a comfortable covered space that can be used as an outdoor classroom throughout the year. Integrated chalk and white boards offer opportunities for teaching, creative expression and collaborative activities. allowing the area to function as an extension of the classroom when required.
“The chalkboard and whiteboard surfaces give pupils a safe and appropriate outlet for writing, doodling and creative expression. Through drawing, mark-making and controlled hand movements these activities also develop fine motor skills.” – Kelly, Play Advisor
Next to the shelter are two picnic tables with integrated activity tops, including draughts, chalkboard and whiteboard surfaces. These features encourage strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration while providing opportunities for pupils to communicate, problem-solve and generally engage in activities together.
“The positioning of the shelter and tables was carefully considered to create a clear learning zone while maintaining good visibility across the wider playground. This allows pupils to remain connected to the outdoor environment without the distractions that can sometimes come from being placed directly within more active play areas.” – Amy, Playground Design Manager
Area 3: Fun Keeping Fit
Encouraging physical activity and confidence-building through movement is a dedicated outdoor gym area. Comprising five pieces of fitness equipment, the space allows pupils to develop coordination, balance and motor skills through activities such as pedalling, stepping and rowing.
A Stopwatch Playboard adds an element of challenge and social interaction, prompting children to set goals and measure their progress. To support accessibility and reassurance of place, each item is surrounded by a different coloured thermoplastic surface ring.
“For many pupils, clearly defined spaces can make activities feel more approachable. The coloured thermoplastic rings help establish individual zones around each exercise item, creating visual boundaries which support confidence and encourage them to engage independently.” – Kelly, Play Advisor
Treetops is committed to preparing pupils for life beyond school, which includes developing practical skills that can be applied within the wider community. While classroom learning provides an important foundation, the school wanted pupils to gain hands-on experience of navigating roads and public spaces in a safe, controlled environment.
“The best outdoor educational environments don’t separate learning from play. The roadway allows pupils to develop practical life skills through activities they naturally enjoy, making those experiences more memorable and meaningful.” – Kelly, Play Advisor
With a large area available, Creative Play was able to create an extensive roadway circuit featuring zebra crossings, stop markings, a roundabout, and eight parking bays. To achieve the desired finish, a specialist ‘cold plastic’ surfacing was selected for the main roadway. Well suited to large tarmac surfaces, it provided an effective way of covering older playground markings that the school wanted to conceal without the need for costly removal works.
Traditional thermoplastic was then used to add the finer details, such as white lines, creating a clear and durable layout that closely replicates a real-world road environment.
The layout provides opportunities for pupils to develop road awareness and cycling proficiency while learning how to navigate common features they will encounter in everyday life. But there is also a broader benefit for many SEN pupils:
“For some children, predictability builds confidence. The roadway creates a structured environment with clear routes, boundaries and destinations, allowing them to explore while understanding exactly how the space is intended to be used.” – Amy, Playground Design Manager
The ‘road’ is designed to make efficient use of the space. While some pupils can practise cycling and road skills, others can enjoy hopscotch games or develop balance and coordination on the climbing equipment positioned within the circuit’s centre.
These play features consist of a Jungle Climber Combi and Mersey Climber, creating a focal point for active play within the roadway environment. To ensure compliance with BS EN 1177 Safety Standards, 80mm EPDM wet pour safety surfacing was installed around both units to provide the required protection for their critical fall heights. A 50% black fleck blend was incorporated into the green surfacing specification to achieve a more cost-efficient finish without compromising performance.
Reflecting the importance of this area to the school, a largeTreetops logo was incorporated into the middle of the roundabout, creating a distinctive landmark within the playground.
Area 5: Exploration Space (Internal Quad Playground)
Plans added to the project later (and therefore not visible in the original drone footage) saw the internal quad transformed into a space for sensory exploration. The school wanted pupils to engage with different colours and textures, and enjoy tactile experiences with opportunities for expression, reflection and quieter play.
All equipment was carefully selected to support these objectives, including planters for natural sensory exploration and a Cambridge Tunnel which allows children to experience daylight through a variety of colours.
Dominating the internal quad is a vibrant purple sensory pathway leading from a reflective colour grass seating area to a bespoke Stage, forming a journey from contemplative imagination to self-expression and performance. Supporting accessibility, a guard rail was incorporated along the edge of the stage, so pupils with physical challenges can use the space more confidently.
Centrepiece of the imagination section is a bespoke Jungle Hut featuring an engraved school logo and artificial grass flooring. Designed as a private retreat within the wider playground, it offers a variety of colour and light experiences in an enclosed setting, an ideal space for pupils wanting to step away from social overload.
“Not every child engages with a sensory space in the same way. While some are drawn to water and tactile play, others respond better to colour, light or quiet observation. The quad was designed to offer multiple ways to explore the environment, allowing pupils to engage at a pace and level that feels comfortable to them.” – Amy, Playground Design Manager
To encourage experimentation, curiosity and a hands-on understanding of cause and effect, the area saw the addition of a Banda Water Station.
Further enhancing opportunities for exploration while remaining within budget, a range of freestanding features were also incorporated, including a Water Chute, ABC Blocks, and a small Mud Kitchen.
RESULTS: INCREASED ENGAGEMENT AND REGULATION ACROSS A VARIETY OF SEN NEEDS
“The children love it, the equipment is used within lessons and free time.” – Treetops School
The completed outdoor environment is now used as a structured but adaptable setting that supports a far wider range of pupil needs than the previous single-use yard. Rather than one dominant play experience, children can now find their way to clearly defined zones that match their levels of energy, confidence and sensory requirement at any given time.
Across the sensory area, pupils are seen engaging more consistently with activities that support focus and interaction, particularly those who benefit from movement, music and tactile input to maintain attention. The inclusion of seating, plants and reflective spaces also provides points to pause and reset, supporting emotional regulation without needing to leave the outdoor play environment.
At the outdoor classroom and gym zones, engagement has become more purposeful and sustained, with pupils responding well to opportunities for both independent and group-based activity. Staff can differentiate use more effectively, moving pupils between guided learning, physical development and social interaction depending on the needs of each child.
The roadway circuit has introduced a clear improvement in life-skills based play participation, particularly in relation to spatial awareness, sequencing and independent movement. Its predictable layout supports pupils who benefit from structure, while still allowing freedom of exploration within a safe and familiar framework.
Within the internal quad, the introduction of quieter, enclosed spaces has strengthened opportunities for self-regulation. Pupils who require reduced stimulation can step into calmer environments without fully disengaging from the wider playground, supporting smoother transitions back into group activity.
Overall, the site now operates as a fully integrated outdoor learning environment where movement, sensory regulation, physical development and social interaction are no longer separated, but instead coexist in a way that better reflects the diverse needs of the pupils it serves.
Maintenance & Future Opportunities
The Treetops outdoor play environment has been designed and installed in line with stringent ISO 9001 quality standards, and BS EN 1176 / BSEN 1177 safety compliance requirements. To support long-term performance, the school can access tailored aftercare options that help maintain the condition and safety of the spaces over time.
“They were able to work around our timelines, and the aftercare has been extremely good.” – Treetops School
INSPIRED BY THIS ROAD-THEMED MULTI-SKILLS SEN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND?
Create a similar play space for your primary school. Explore more case studies to see what can work for you – or get in touch with Creative Play today for a free consultation! Visit the Contact Page or get in touch via email or telephone: [email protected] | 01244 375 627
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