East London Seven Kings Playground - £160,000
A drop dead wow factor Playground Design in Seven Kings East London
Seven Kings Free School, located in East London, has recently unveiled a playground that exemplifies the perfect blend of creativity, functionality, and environmental consciousness.
With a budget of £160,000, this outdoor space is designed to inspire students, engage the community, and foster a love of nature and active learning. What sets this playground apart is its ability to combine imaginative design with a traditional understanding of play, a signature style of Robert’s designs, which are celebrated as some of the most creative and innovative in the UK.
Quote from The Head Teacher
The minute I received Robert`s amazing hand drawn design, I knew we had found the Company we had been searching for. I
was overwhelmed by the intricacy and care and attention to detail which he had put into our design.
Each time we looked at it, we noticed another amazing item which we had overlooked.
My attitude was that anyone who could take so much care and put so much effort into a hand drawn design, was definitely the person to handle my School Project.I was not disappointed as the end result was 100 per cent as he had designed. In fact, I can honestly say his Sensory planting achieved 200 per cent.
I would have no hesitation to recommend Robert and his team of super Craftsmen to every school in the UK.I have never seen a team of men who worked so hard and the whole staff were amazed to see that every single piece of timber was hand cut, hand sanded and hand painted.
I was absolutely thrilled with the Nature Garden and it was beyond my wildest dreams. The very long Polycarbonate Lean-To roof was a real achievement and now the children can do their Outside Learning, in all weathers."
At the heart of the playground is a stunning raised platform play area. This elevated space not only adds a dynamic vertical element to the playground but is thoughtfully integrated with mature bamboo planting, creating a natural oasis within the urban environment. The bamboo not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also encourages exploration, curiosity, and interaction with natural elements.
Features of this Playground
- Raised platform play area with mature bamboo planting
- Scientific nature garden for hands-on environmental learning
- Raised planters with integral seating for outdoor learning
- Sensory planting areas to engage sight, touch, and smell
- Fruit and vegetable growing zones to encourage sustainable gardening
- Outdoor learning areas designed to support curriculum-based lessons
- Barbecue area for community gatherings and school events
- Automatic irrigation system to maintain plants with minimal maintenance
- Integration of creative and traditional design elements to stimulate curiosity
- Safe and engaging layout suitable for students of all ages
A unique feature of this playground is the scientific nature garden. Designed to spark curiosity and learning, the garden provides opportunities for children to engage directly with the natural world, conduct experiments, and observe seasonal changes.
Complementing this are numerous raised planters with integral seating, which double as both educational tools and social spaces.
These planters host sensory planting, designed to stimulate the senses through textures, colors, and scents, alongside fruit and vegetable areas that encourage students to grow their own produce, teaching them the value of sustainability and healthy eating.
The outdoor learning areas are another standout feature.
These zones are carefully crafted to support curriculum-based activities, allowing teachers to take lessons beyond the classroom and into an interactive, outdoor environment. From science observations to creative writing sessions inspired by nature, these areas help cultivate a holistic learning experience.
The inclusion of a fantastic barbecue area also promotes community engagement, enabling students and families to come together in a safe, enjoyable setting.
Quotes From Parents
“Our children are thrilled to come to school every day. The raised platform and sensory garden have made outdoor learning so much more exciting—they love exploring and discovering new things.” “
It’s wonderful to see the kids involved in growing their own fruit and vegetables. The playground has turned learning about nature and sustainability into something hands-on and fun.”
“The outdoor spaces are amazing—not just for play, but for family events too. We’ve had barbecues and gatherings here, and it really feels like the school has built a community hub.”
Functionality and sustainability are central to the playground’s design. An automatic irrigation system ensures that the plants thrive year-round with minimal maintenance, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship. Every aspect of the space, from seating arrangements to planting choices, reflects a careful balance between practicality and aesthetic innovation.
What truly distinguishes Seven Kings Free School’s playground is the way it embodies Robert’s unique design philosophy: highly imaginative, creative, and daring, yet grounded in a deep respect for tradition.
This is a space where children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and express themselves freely, while still benefiting from a structured and thoughtfully planned environment. In sum, Seven Kings Free School has created more than just a playground; it has crafted a dynamic, multifunctional outdoor space that nurtures growth, learning, and community.
With its blend of imaginative play, educational features, and sustainable design, it stands as a benchmark for modern school playgrounds, demonstrating how creativity and tradition can coexist to enrich the student experience.