“This project has completely changed the psychology of the playground. Before, the space was dominated by a small group of boys playing football. Now the playground is utilised in a very different way; there is more interaction taking place and it is nice interaction” 1 Artist Hattie Coppard of Snug & Outdoor has been working with Camden Environmental Education Network (CEEN) to help bring a Secondary school quad back into use. Following initial work with the school council, Learning Through Landscapes in London secured funding from Camden Central SRB to allow Snug & Outdoor to run an experimental week at the school. The team worked with year 8 pupils in Design & Technology lessons to think about ways of introducing temporary structures and equipment into the quad. 1 Teacher, Daubeney School, Hackney – Hattie Coppard Experimental Playgrounds, June 2003
Snug & Outdoor used different combinations of hired staging, café tables & chairs and large picnic blankets to change the way the space was perceived and used. Midday staff and senior management felt happy to try quite radical changes to layout and management for just for one week. The behaviour of pupils told us volumes without words, demonstrating how the physical environment influences behaviour. Comments boards and pupil designed questionnaires captured the wealth of responses to such tangible changes. The whole process was captured on a video that will be used to promote the experimental method as a useful way of finding needs and solutions within the LTL process.
LTL in London encouraged the school to involve all the stakeholders in the meetings to discuss Snug & Outdoor’s first plans for the ‘new’ quad. After discussions with a landscape architect (employed via LTL) these proved to be need rather more funding than was available. After more discussions with the school a phased approach was adopted. Through CEEN, LTL in London is now working with the school to raise funds to realise the scheme that Snug & Outdoor have put together with the landscape architect. We aim to implement the first stage of works this year.
This project has also sparked off interest in other areas of the school grounds. Ideas for a science garden and improved pitch area have been put forward by staff and pupils. As with all school grounds development there are always further improvements! |
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