Heaton Park Primary School, Manchester

This project began with a headteacher who saw things differently.

Paul Lord was inspired by time spent outdoors—from the Lake District to Nepal—and wanted to bring that sense of challenge and exploration into his school before retiring.

The site was a sloped hillside, often seen as awkward and restrictive. For us, it was an opportunity. Instead of attening it, we worked with the landscape.

Collaborating with Paul, we created a natural playscape that followed the hill’s contours—designed to encourage movement, exploration, and imagination. Living willow, natural planting, and large boulders gave the space structure and character, while timber features like monkey bars set into tree trunks added both challenge and identity.

The slope became a key feature, helping children build strength, coordination, and confidence through climbing and navigating uneven ground.

To balance safety with aesthetics, we used a rubber grass mat system that allows real grass to grow through while meeting BS EN 1177 standards.

The result is a space that feels discovered, not manufactured—giving children meaningful opportunities for risk, creativity, and outdoor-inspired play, just as Paul envisioned.