Moorside Community Primary School

LEARNING THROUGH INTERACTION WITH NATURE AND PEOPLE

//   AWARD WINNING
New outdoor learning environment for children to grow and develop in every and any direction they choose recognised by the British Council for School Environments as 'Best Outdoor Learning Environment' 2009

//   PRACTICAL RESPONSE
Living landscapes tackle social challenges facing school children growing up in a relatively scarce urban environment

//   PARTICIPATORY DESIGN PROCESS
Design realised through collaboration with pupils and teachers

//   ENGAGING CENSORING ENVIRONMENTS
Drawing inspiration from connected and circular play theories embracing creativity and social interaction

//   EVOLVING LANDSCAPE
Changing on a moment-to-moment and term-to-term basis in response to the children's growing needs

"As a company Colour listened to what we wanted and didn't try to give us what you thought we wanted. Colour were able to take our thinking forward and expand on our ideas with enthusiasm, working with pupils and enabling them to design. Everyone in school is delighted with the outcome. June Foster OBE, Executive Headteacher Moorside / Arthurs Hill Federation.

Moorside Community School Grounds is a new outdoor learning environment realised through collaboration with the pupils and teachers of Moorside Community Primary School in Newcastle upon Tyne. Funded directly by the school, the projects were initiated as an immediate, practical response to the challenges facing school children growing up in a relatively scarce urban environment where many of the children live below the poverty line and have recently arrived in the UK.

Drawing inspiration from the work of Japanese designer Mitsuru Man Senda and developing his theories of connected, 'circular' play and engaging sensory environments.

The new grounds offer space for children to grow and develop in every and any direction they choose, embracing creativity and social interaction. Children are supported to self-organise, and teaching assistants maintain a secure, nurturing environment which is constantly evolving on a moment-to-moment and term-to-term basis in response to the childrens growing needs, curriculum and capacity to affect change.

The first phase of works was complete in 2009, a second Early Years exploratory area in 2011 and finally the more expansive nature and sports areas in 2012-13.

Projects were developed with the school community through a participatory design process that included design workshops with pupils and governors, and inspirational school trips run by Colour.

Client

Mrs June Foster OBE, Executive Headteacher of Moorside Community Primary School