Greener learning: Sensory landscapes for Sherwood Park School
Client
Sherwood Park School
Location
Sectors
Products & Services
Project overview
Working with Sherwood Park School to meet the additional needs of their students, we designed areas that were safe, accessible and full of opportunities for sensory exploration. Our approach combined infrastructural elements including natural screening, shaded learning areas and interactive play features, and planting schemes to bring about an increase in biodiversity.
Goal
To implement biophilic design to transform a school’s underused outdoor space to feel welcoming, accessible, and engaging for students with complex needs. By adding sensory elements, splashes of greenery and plenty of colour, we set out to make learning outside both engaging and fun, all while increasing biodiversity and bringing more life into school grounds.
Scope
The project spanned the length of the outdoor space, consisting of a pergola and outdoor classroom features such as seating and a whiteboard. Sensory plants, green screens and other interactive features were installed across the school grounds.
Solutions
To bring the vision to life, we focused on thoughtful design and natural materials that could make the outdoor spaces feel inviting, practical and full of variety.
Green Screens
To create a natural boundary between the playground and the car park.
Timber Pergola
Designed as an outdoor classroom, complete with shade, seating and a whiteboard for flexible learning.
Interactive Features
A mud kitchen, sand pit and water features were installed to encourage hands-on learning.
Sensory and Biodiversity Planting
Chosen for colour, texture and scent for while supporting local wildlife and cleaner air.
Impact
The new outdoor spaces have create a safer, more inspiring environment for students with more complex needs, giving them more opportunities to learn, play and explore in a safe environment.
Improved Safety of Students
The green screens both enhance biodiversity but provide a boundary between the playground and car park, keeping them safe and allowing for semi-supervised sessions.
Bringing Learning Outdoors
The timber pergola offered shade and seating, creating a comfortable space for outdoor lessons and group activities.
Tailored learning
The mud kitchen, sand pit and water play features encouraged curiosity and imaginative play.
Vibrant and Natural Environment
Planting brought colour and seasonal variety to the school while attracting wildlife and improving air quality.
Before
After
Testimonials
“We previously had an overgrown patch of land, alongside a patio area which was underutilised in the car park. Meristem Design helped produce an outdoor school classroom suiting our diverse learners from age 5 to 19. The natural herb garden and grassed areas offer a splendid outdoor space. A massive thank you to Meristem for this incredible transformation.”
Joshua Hunt
Teacher at Sherwood Park Primary
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Featured products, landscapes & services
Design
We specialise in designing beautiful, sustainable urban greening solutions and products that bring nature into public, commercial and residential spaces. From concept to final design, we work closely with clients to ensure that every element is crafted to meet their unique needs, aesthetic preferences, and sustainability goals.
Fabrication
We provide high-quality, in-house fabrication services tailored to the needs of urban greening projects. Composed of skilled welders and carpenters, our fabrication team brings each project from concept to completion using precision and exceptional craftsmanship.
Get in touch
If you like what you've seen in our case study and want to learn more about how this could work in your setting, please get in touch.
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