New outdoor play area launched at Park Lane Primary in Whittlesey to boost early childhood learning and growth

A school has officially opened its new outdoor space for its children, designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and support early development.

Pupils at Park Lane Primary and Nursery School in Whittlesey are enjoying a brand-new outdoor play area.

To mark the occasion, the school, part of Aspire Learning Trust, welcomed Peterborough United mascot, Peter Burrows, who joined staff and excited pupils for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new outdoor space includes a performance stage, climbing equipment, and apparatus designed to help children improve coordination, balance, and key motor skills.

The space has also been designed to encourage exploration, teamwork, and physical activity, aligning with the school’s mission to inspire every child to adopt healthy lifestyles and positive relationships from an early age.

The idea for the new play area was proposed by Louise Tansley, the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) lead, who recognised the importance of creating an environment to promote children’s physical development, imaginative play, and peer interactions.

Following a presentation to the school’s board of trustees, her proposal received strong support and was generously funded by Aspire Learning Trust.

Rachel Mason, chief operating officer at Aspire Learning Trust, said: “At Aspire Learning Trust, we are committed to supporting initiatives that have a lasting, positive impact on our children’s development and wellbeing.

“It was clear that this proposal was not just about building a playground, it was about creating a space where young children could develop essential physical and social skills through structured and purposeful play.”

During the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2024, EYFS was identified as a key strength.