West Lancashire Community High School in Skelmersdale is a specialist SEN school where students are supported to reach their full potential. We were delighted to of created 5 new play spaces designed around specific needs and a space where learning, sensory play and personal growth come together.
At the heart of the space is our bespoke Sensory Tower which is a large-scale, purpose built feature designed to spark imagination and sensory exploration. With tactile panels, musical instruments, and mark-making opportunities, it’s both a hub for creativity and a relaxing retreat under colourful, shaded shelter. The tower is also fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring every child can enjoy it equally.
Keep reading below to see the area and what products are also featured...
The entire area is finished with high-quality artificial grass, giving the children a safe, all weather surface to play on all year round. Alongside the tower sits a 3m gazebo, providing an extra “chill-out” zone, while our oversized XL Create-a-Trail blocks add another layer of fun. These giant blocks, topped with artificial grass, can be moved (with support) to create trails or used as seats encouraging both active play and moments of relaxation.
To bring children together, we’ve included two inclusive game-top picnic tables. Wheelchair accessible and designed for group play, they’re perfect for board-style games, creative activities, or even an outdoor snack when the sun shines. Rounding off the area is a timber basket swing at transfer height, a truly inclusive play piece that allows multiple children to enjoy swinging together.
This area is packed with sensory rich opportunities that inspire creativity, imagination, and social connection. It’s a space designed not just for play, but for growth, helping children develop key skills while having fun in an environment that feels welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
This area has been carefully designed to encourage active play while supporting the development of essential physical skills. From strength and balance to coordination and agility, the equipment gives the children a chance to challenge themselves in a safe and engaging way. This was a particularly important addition. We were keen to create opportunities that not only promote fitness and wellbeing but also build confidence and independence through movement. By making physical activity fun and inclusive, the space helps children stay healthy, develop further their motor skills, and enjoy the positive benefits of active play.
Keep reading below to see the area and what products are also featured...
This area is bursting with opportunities for active play: the trim trail challenges children with a variety of exciting features, including a Tyre Traverse, forest walk stilts with colourful rock grips, a log bridge, zig zag balance beams, an A-frame climber, stepping logs, and classic monkey bars. Together, these elements help students build strength, balance, and coordination while having fun.
To ensure everyone can join in, the space also includes a timber basket swing and an inclusive roundabout, both designed to support accessible play. Adding to the experience are interactive play panels, offering tactile and sensory engagement alongside mirror panels that encourage discovery and spark curiosity. All of this sits on a soft beige wetpour surface, providing a safe, year-round play foundation that brightens the area while blending naturally into its surroundings. The result is a space where children can stay active, explore, and enjoy inclusive play together.
Designed with older students in mind, this Key Stage 5 area focuses on creating spaces where young people can relax, socialise, and learn together, while still being encouraged to engage through sensory play.
A focus point of the area is our bespoke sensory huts, offering shade and shelter alongside colourful perspex windows and artificial grass topped roofs for a playful sensory twist. Along the pathway sits a fire pit gazebo which is an inspiring addition for Forest School style learning, complete with a designated roof to allow safe, supervised fire pit activities that bring an extra layer of hands on education. A library gazebo provides even more opportunities, with internal shelving and seating that can be used for reading, additional learning, or as a stage, chill out space, or creative mark making zone.
Music also plays a key role in the area with crash cymbals, rainbow chimes, and a set of five samba drums creating the perfect spot for performances that boost confidence and self expression alongside interactive play panels such as the Twist Bearing Run and Roller Pixels support concentration, regulation, and fun, giving students a well rounded environment where relaxation, creativity, and learning come together.
This area has been carefully designed with accessibility and inclusivity at its core. A wheelchair accessible swing takes centre stage, giving every child the chance to experience the joy of swinging either independently or with support. Built to be durable and practical, it ensures all students can join in the fun. Alongside this sits a large robinia climbing unit, complete with raised platforms, challenging features, and a slide. It’s the perfect way for children to test their balance, build coordination, and enjoy a real sense of adventure. To encourage group play, the area also features a robinia basket swing at transfer height, allowing multiple children to enjoy it together. All of this is set on bright blue wetpour surfacing, which not only provides a safe, cushioned foundation but also brings a vibrant splash of colour to the space.
This development has been built to last and most importantly built to be enjoyed. The school has shared fantastic feedback, telling us how much the children are embracing every part of the new spaces and making the most of what each area has to offer. It’s wonderful to see students thriving outside the classroom, as these opportunities for play, creativity, and social interaction are such a vital part of their development. Completed over the summer holidays and ready in time for the new term, the project has already had a hugely positive impact on both the school and its community. We’re proud to have played a part in creating such an inspiring environment and delighted to see the difference it’s making every day.
0
