Castle Tower School

A teaching and learning environment for more than 325 pupils with special needs

The needs and requirements of the pupils are wide-ranging - in terms of learning, social skills and behavior, there are children with mild difficulties, but also those with serious difficulties, sometimes in several areas. It is very important to the school community to prepare their pupils for life beyond school and to make them independent adults - so the new building should be designed to promote everyday skills. The new £20 million building, which opened in September, is an impressive facility that will take children's education in a whole new direction.
A key component in the planning of the school was the development of play opportunities to meet the needs of each pupil. Not only did the very different needs have to be taken into account, but also the different age groups from three to nineteen. And this is where Nature Play came in. We designed three courtyards that act as calming "green lungs", inviting children to play or simply enjoy a breath of fresh air in the center of the beautiful new school building.
Each courtyard was designed with a particular theme and purpose in mind. One of the three courtyards is all about playing with sand and water - the aim is to encourage teamwork, stimulate the imagination and motivate the youngest children to "get their little fingers dirty". The second courtyard is all about music: the children are encouraged to move or simply listen. The third courtyard is a place for contemplation, where the gentle sound of water flowing through viral basins soothes the senses.
Play areas for different age groups have been created around the building near the classrooms. A few examples: In the "active area", children can "break out" - here they will find dynamic play equipment, such as a zip wire, a hexagonal swing and a climbing wall. In a garden of the senses, there are planters made of oak planks in which pupils can grow their own plants, as well as special equipment that stimulates their perception. A special garden offers a shelter for rainy days and play equipment that can also be used by wheelchair users.
The staff are just as enthusiastic about the outdoor facilities as the pupils themselves. Staff member Aleck Ford adds:
"Nature Play Ireland (Richter Spielgeräte GmbH's Irish partner) has worked with the planning team and our staff over two years to create something truly unique. No one knows and understands the fundamentals of play-based learning as well as they do. Each piece of equipment offers a special play value - this aspect has been central to all of Nature Play's designs."
"The children now want to be outside all the time because they have so much fun on the equipment." "Because outdoor play is a significant part of the school day at Castle Tower School and playgrounds are a fundamental learning space for our children, it was so important to me that we chose the right equipment. After looking at the playground installed by Nature Play at Dumfries House (Ayrshire), I knew that Nature Play's equipment was exactly what we needed for our new school. They have excellent play value, are sturdily constructed and beautiful to look at."