Wednesday 20 March 2013
Thursday 7 March 2013
Summary of First Meeting of Sciennes Playground Improvement Group
Sciennes
School Playground Development Group Meeting - 21 February 2013
Attendees
Alison Noble, Angela Christie, Bruce
Crawford, Christine Rednall, Mary Kernohan, Jules Simner, Stuart Sheehan
Discussion
o
Alison opened with a short
scene-setting presentation covering -
o
Aims of the group – to share
information, to develop parental engagement, to seek views and decide next
steps
o
What has been done so far? -
amphitheatre, quiet area, benches, voucher scheme, gardens, staggered breaks/
lunches, basketball hoops, use of the meadows
o
What do the children think -
Pupil Wellbeing Survey – “I like playtimes……”
Yes definitely Yes most of the time
2011 – P1-P2 75% 21%
2011 – P3-P7 52% 37%
2012 – P1-P2 86% 10%
2012 – P3-P7 44% 42%
o Alison discussed the
“Grounds for Learning” initiative and the possibility to apply for a grant, up
to £25,000, to create an imaginative outdoor learning experience (as
illustrated by accessing the website www.ltl.org.uk/scotland)
o
While of interest, Alison felt the current
space would perhaps limit the ambitions of such a project but did not rule a
future application
o
Sport Scotland 2014 legacy – could also
offer some funding
o
Jules mentioned at this point that she had
grant application experience and could offer guidance if required
o
Sciennes road – the closure, either
permanently or temporarily during the school day was the next topic, with all
agreeing that the school 120th anniversary celebrations had had a
hugely positive effect and that linking this space with the park area could
offer a wonderful opportunity for the school, Alison agreed to continue this
discussions forward
o
Alison mentioned that a Health and Safety
representative had visited the school, to assess the playground’s overall
safety, particularly the raised bed area and had given the playground a clean
bill of health
o
On the topic of safety, Angela reiterated
that the “Climbing wall” was in fact a “Traversing” wall and while this was
observed during the school day, its potential misuse was highlighted during
parental supervisory periods
o
Jules then switched the conversation to the
type of games and the use of playground space, using the example of a game
called “Four-Square”, she had played herself at school which offered group
participation within a more efficient space area
o
On the topic of parental engagement, it was
mentioned that a number of parents with Design, Landscape and other potential
Playground development skills had offered assistance and the need to follow up
with these parties was agreed
o
Engagement with parents would also be
sought through suggestion boxes, canvassing at school events and the use of
surveys, either directly or via the Communications Group
o
The group also discussed the possible
introduction of a waiting area for parents bridging the two finishing times,
however this was not considered to be as important as creating a safe and
stimulating environment for the children and therefore not really within the
remit of a Playground Development Group
o
The move of the Sick Kids was mentioned and
there seemed to be some uncertainty over when the new building might actually
commence construction. Jules mentioned this was still on target for 2014 and
the conversation then moved to the possible securement of the adjacent land
behind the quiet area for the school
o
Use of Sick Kids land would still be some
time away but was being looked at by a separate School Group to make more use
of the School’s overall footprint which could then have a positive knock on
effect with the removal of the huts to free up play space
o
Funding in general was talked about and it
was clear that existing funds and possibly some of the Swimathon monies could
possibly be put towards Playground development, following due agreement with
all relevant parties
o
The Group structure and responsibility was
then the subject of a question or two and Alison confirmed that this Group
would be a decision-making group, seeking input from the Pupil Council and also
Staff and the wider parental group, using further meetings and Communication
Group surveys
o
The potential use of the back playground
was then raised and the return of the old playground from its current car park
usage to a more specific play area was debated, with ideas ranging from using
as the playground for the huts, P7, P1-2 or even using the space for a
particular sport, for example marking out a basketball court
o
Finally, it was noted that Angela and
Alison were reviewing the mix of children in the playground, with perhaps a
move to more of a lower / upper school divide, further details would follow in
due course
Action points
·
A consultation process would be
initiated involving discussions with Staff and the Pupil Council regarding the
potential use of the back playground –
Alison Noble
·
Further investigation with
other interested School Groups regarding the possible closure of Sciennes Road
to open the area up for play – Alison Noble
·
Pupil council involvement ,
engage the pupils generally to decide how they would like to see the Playground
develop – Alison Noble / Sharon McGhee
·
Scheduling of playground
utilization across the lower and upper school – Alison Noble / Angela Christie
·
Questions to be formulated for
a possible parent survey on Playground Development – Stuart Sheehan
Next
meeting - Thursday 11 April 2013, 6 - 7pm, all welcome
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