Highgate primary school plans to build outdoor pods to bring back traditional play

Toys are to be replaced with tyres and planks of wood at a Highgate primary school after it won a £10,000 lottery grant to improve its outdoor play and learning space.

St Michael’s CofE Primary School, in North Hill, has chosen to spend the money on two innovative play pods which will be full of scrap parts for children to play with imaginatively, including netting, boxes and tarpaulin.

The “play pods” will be installed over the summer so they are ready for pupils to explore in September at the start of the next academic year.

Two parents have drawn up designs for the bespoke pods, which will blend in with the natural environment.

The award from the Big Lottery Fund was announced last week and the parents’ association has agreed to fund the remainder of the cost to install the play sheds.

Pods are designed to ensure that play changes every lunchtime to continually spark pupils’ imagination to create unique structures and games.

Deputy headteacher Lorna Ross said: “The pods are great for creativity as they can build little houses or dens, and play like kids used to play.”