Cherry Gardens in south London is a primary school for children with a range of special education needs (SEN), including visual impairment and multiple learning difficulties. It recently underwent a redevelopment project due to a wider initiative to increase the number of available primary school places within the London Borough of Southwark.
As part of the redevelopment scheme, the outdoor area was divided into three distinct play spaces which could be used by children of different ages and abilities. The design incorporated a range of surfacing products to create multi-sensory environments that would allow pupils to explore and be creative.
Following a rigorous selection process based on quality, cost and health and safety, DCM Surfaces was selected to install the synthetic surfacing for each of the three play areas.
DCM Surfaces was in a unique position to deliver all elements of synthetic surfacing and the project included DCM’s entire product portfolio – self-binding gravel, UV-stable bound gravel, synthetic turf, wetpour and rubber mulch.
In total, DCM covered an area of over 2,000sq m with specialist surfacing.
A core requirement for the project was that each surface had to be permeable – allowing water to drain through the surface to ensure that it could be used all year-round.
Wetpour and Rubber Mulch provided a soft, impact absorbing layer and achieved the maximum 2.4m critical fall height required around the timber play equipment. Mixed colours of wetpour were also used to create colourful surfaces and a variety of graphics, including a roadway with markings and intricate patterns around the play equipment area.
The installation also included the installation of fire-resistant synthetic turf with grano dust to the roof terrace.
“The children love the new spaces and our vision of ‘nurturing success’ is still very much at the forefront of what we do,” said a spokesperson for Cherry Garden School.
Beverley Holden, director of DCM Surfaces, added: “We were delighted to win the contract following a rigorous and thorough selection process.
“It represented an opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities, confirming that DCM’s reputation for quality solutions and service continues to grow. We’re currently scaling up our operations, to ensure that we will continue to provide an exceptional level of service to all of our customers throughout the UK.”
