PLAYTOP® FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

A very special school in every sense has now benefited from the design and installation expertise of Charles Lawrence Surfaces plc.

Manor Mead School at Shepperton in Middlesex caters for 65 children, aged 2 to 11 years – all with learning difficulties and some also with physical disabilities.

Fiona Neal, Headteacher at Manor Mead School, takes up the story: 'Lady Bonfield lives in Shepperton and takes a keen interest in progress at Manor Mead School. So much so that she wished to support the development of a Sensory Garden at the school. Lady Bonfield enlisted the help of her landscape gardener, Stephen Knowles, who then introduced Charles Lawrence to the project.

'The play and garden area, although functional and bright in the Summer was actually quite grey and dull. What we wanted was a colourful and visually stimulating space that remained bright and appealing all year round yet was fundamentally a safe area for all the children.

'Charles Lawrence Surfaces translated our thoughts and hopes into an inspiring design. Installation was completed during a holiday break and when we returned the transformation was amazing. The children and staff were absolutely delighted and now it’s one of the first areas that we take our visitors to as we are so proud of our new play garden.

'Following the installation, Lady Bonfield arranged for sensory planting in the garden. She then asked a young artist to continue the sensory theme on the walls surrounding the garden – this artwork picked up on the Charles Lawrence design installed on the play surface. The entire exercise has been extremely fulfilling and has produced a wonderful environment for the children.'