We design, build and install award-winning playgrounds for schools
We are passionate about real play in schools.
Dear Mike,
At TouchWood, we design, build and install unique, natural playgrounds that inspire, challenge and connect children with nature.
Creating amazing play in schools has always been at the core of TouchWood.
Since 2002, we’ve created hundreds of indoor and outdoor play experiences for schools, parks and public spaces, visitor attractions, trusts, charities and commissions.
Whether you want a nature trail, play area or show-stopping adventure playground for your school, we have the knowledge, experience and passion to bring your vision to life.
Joe Cooper
TOUCHWOOD PLAY FOUNDER
How we support schools.
We create exciting playgrounds that help schools to deliver their learning priorities across all ages.
Our playground features encourage children to use their imaginations to have their own adventures in a safe, stimulating and natural setting. Using the act of play to stimulate learning is something that we’re all passionate about.
At TouchWood, we are passionate about building environments that provide maximum opportunities for play and learning. Our school playgrounds are designed and built to deliver amazing and unique play experiences.
From climbing frames and themed structures to mud kitchens and multi-use activity areas, we’ll have a natural, bespoke play solution to meet your schools’ needs.
HANNAH MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
The TouchWood team went above and beyond. The new equipment and areas have transformed playtimes and lunchtimes and children are able to play creatively and imaginatively. I love showing people round and wowing them with our play spaces.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU’LL WANT A PLAYGROUND THAT WILL:
• Help you to achieve your school priorities
• Constantly inspire, challenge and nurture your children
• Set your school apart from the rest
• Work for you whatever the weather
• Be open to new developments as your priorities change
• Be safe and long-lasting
• Be affordable
Playgrounds to enhance your curriculum.
Beyond traditional classroom settings, playgrounds provide a versatile platform for cross-curricular learning.
Subjects including science, mathematics and the arts find a natural home in outdoor activities. Learning through play not only engages students but also makes learning more dynamic and engaging.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
For the Early Years Foundation Stage, playgrounds serve as dynamic environments that support all seven Prime and Specific Areas of Learning: communication and language, physical development, personal, social, and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. TouchWood’s high-quality play equipment facilitates an interactive and engaging atmosphere, fostering the development of key skills and knowledge in these
KEY STAGES 1 & 2
Furthermore, playgrounds offer valuable opportunities for developing the Characteristics of Effective Learning, promoting attributes like curiosity, resilience, and independence. Play activities encourage active learning, creating a foundation for lifelong learning habits.
As students progress to Key Stage 1 and 2, the significance of playgrounds extends to positively influence behaviour, academic attainment, mental health, and physical wellbeing.
Recognised by Ofsted as an essential element of a broad and balanced curriculum, outdoor learning in these stages impacts cognitive function and emotional wellbeing, contributing to improved overall academic performance.
Encourage children’s connection with natural materials
Natural materials, built to last.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS, KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD WITH A FULLY BESPOKE PLAY SPACE
FLEXIBLE PLAYGROUND SOLUTIONS, DESIGNED TO GROW WITH YOUR SCHOOL
At TouchWood, our focus is on creating play settings that inspire imagination, promote physical activity, and foster social interaction.
Play experiences
Through our dedication to only using natural materials, shapes, and design and build in our structures, we inspire rather than direct play – enabling children to explore our structures in a way they choose. Providing meaningful opportunities and settings for nature play, therefore, meets children’s basic needs and intents and creates wellbeing within the individual and a range of physical, mental and emotional benefits.
DEVELOP THEIR EMOTIONAL AWARENESS OF THE NATURAL WORLD
Nature play
Sensory play
SPARK THEIR IMAGINATION
SHADED SPACES
EXTEND LEARNING
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Covered play
Working closely with the team at TouchWood has brought our vision and ideas into reality... children and families are thrilled with the wonderful equipment we now proudly have in our outdoor spaces.
FAIRLAWN PRIMARY SCHOOL
BOOST
Indoor play
IMPROVE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Water play
SUPPORT COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Sand and gravel play
DEVELOP THEIR CURIOSITY
Adventure play
Promote health & fitness
INCREASE CONFIDENCE WITH STRUCTURED RISK-TAKING
Case studies
Our inspiring case studies share how our innovative playgrounds have supported schools to create amazing play spaces for their students, enhancing the curriculum and fostering positive physical and mental wellbeing.
STANLEY GREEN INFANT ACADEMY
Early Years
TouchWood transformed Stanley Green Infant Academy’s small, feature-lacking playground into a vibrant natural space.
Their vision was to encourage physical activity, creativity, and social interaction among children through diverse play opportunities.
The design catered to primary school children, offering challenges and tailored play features.
The playground was divided into three zones— Natural, Imaginative, and Explorative—meeting EYFS requirements while stimulating children in different ways.
TouchWood completely transformed our outdoor space and created an exciting Early Years outdoor learning space that the children have absolutely loved exploring, navigating and learning in.
Headteacher
STANLEY GREEN INFANT ACADEMY
RINGWOOD SCHOOL
Key Stages 1&2
Ringwood School collaborated with TouchWood to transform an unused green space into a nature-centric play area.
A fallen tree became a unique climbing frame with den-making opportunities, balance beams, and an interactive Robinia post for exploration. A hand-woven willow pod served as a cozy reading space, and a “build the bridge” feature encouraged teamwork and outdoor learning.
The revitalised space offers diverse play values, fostering active play, imagination, reflection, and handson learning for an enriched educational experience.
PURPLE OAKS SCHOOL
Key Stage 4
TouchWood engaged with Purple Oaks Academy to create a dynamic playground to captivate and engage students, ensuring a holistic and exhilarating play experience.
Designed with older students in mind, the play equipment offers a dynamic blend of challenge and excitement. Featuring robust structures like climbing walls, zip lines, and agility courses, the equipment not only promotes physical fitness but also encourages teamwork and problem-solving, providing a thrilling and engaging experience for the academy’s students.
Creating bespoke playscapes for clients is a journey.
It’s a journey we go on together. From ideas to reality, we create something truly special together.
Imagine & inspire.
The first step is a true ‘meeting of minds’, where clients share their vision and ideas.
Some are prescriptive, others want more ideas and input from TouchWood, often depending on the space. It’s a thorough, collaborative briefing that forms the seed of the project.
From these discussions, TouchWood’s talented designers use their creativity to produce drawings to illustrate their vision of the new play space, bringing the ideas to life.
Next step is technical design
– this is a detailed engineering document, defining the precise measurements and detail of the structure to ensure the construction and installation process is smooth and play safety criteria is met.
Manufacture is where the project begins to come to life, first in the woodyard – creating the structure out of the raw materials.
Build & play.
Once the component parts of the entire playspace are made, they are transported to site and installed before receiving a play safety inspection by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Whether you have a live project or the seed of an idea, we’re here to help.
We’d
love to work with you.
Our team is always happy to talk about your ideas and answer any questions you may have about how we work, or offer advice on how best to successfully deliver your project.
