Woodlands Academy had a large outdoor space that they were looking to enhance and transform into an engaging outdoor learning environment where pupils could learn and enjoy.
Woodlands Academy raised planters
The playground space was a relatively open, tarmaced area creating the perfect blank canvas to add WoodBlocX planters. The large area allowed the school to pick multiple raised beds in different shapes to really add interest to an otherwise blank space. The pupils were involved in all aspects of the project, starting with checking the instructions before the build began.
Planning the Garden
To make the most of their space, the school selected a bespoke combination of L-shaped planter benches, rectangular beds and circular raised beds, designed using our Free Design Service. The planter bench was chosen to add a seating space for the pupils to use. The number of raised beds offers the children ample space to plant and learn about the growing journey which was a key goal of the project.
Preparation and building
As the planters were being built on a tarmac playground, there was minimal preparation work required. Careful consideration was used to choose the areas of the playground that were most level to begin the WoodBlocX build. The children were involved in all aspects of the project, they began by measuring out the spaces to ensure the raised beds were built in the right place. When building on hard ground types, you can choose to include angle floor brackets to secure your WoodBlocX structure to the ground. Learn more about the different ground type fixings.
Once the area was measured out, the pupils began building each planter, layer-by-layer, using our easy to follow instructions. The pupils secured each layer with dowels before adding a protective liner to protect the timber prior to the final capping layer being secured into place. Traditional capping was used in this project to add the finishing touches – see our capping options.
Finally, soil was added to fill the raised beds, the pupils then planted a variety of flowers and shrubs before adding a layer of bark to finish.
Finished Garden
The finished playground space is a wonderful example of how a blank space can be transformed into an outdoor space blooming with colour and ready for the pupils to learn. Within this engaging outdoor setting, the variety of planters add interest to the space and gives ample space to grow flowers or vegetables – the choice is theirs! The planter bench offers the pupils a space to sit, to reflect or to learn. Most importantly, the space is an inviting and welcoming area for the school children to enjoy.
We offer a variety of raised planter kits for schools, check our our school customer case studies to gather inspiration for your own projects!
Outdoor learning WoodBlocX project
This outdoor learning project provides a safe, sustainable and engaging environment for children to explore and develop new skills. The structures are durable and require no heavy machinery to install, making them ideal for educational settings and for the pupils to get involved. A WoodBlocX project offers endless opportunities to develop learning and increase engagement with the outdoors.
Create your own outdoor learning environment
Make the most of your outdoor space with this versatile L-shaped planter bench. Perfect for gardens, courtyards or schools, it combines generous planting space with built-in seating, creating a practical and attractive feature. Strong, durable and easy to build, WoodBlocX is a safe and low maintenance solution that will last for years.
