produced by
Castlemilk High
&&
St Margaret Mary’s
New Learning Communities
Contents
1. Introduction
Castlemilk High & St.Margaret Mary’s
New Learning Communities
2. Health Promoting School
Curriculum, learning & teaching, Environment,
resources & facilities, Personal, social & health
education, Partnership working, Staff Health
& Well being, Management & leadership, Ethos
& climate
3.
Equipment required / Estimated costs
4. Top Tips
Preparation, Application, Materials, General
5. Designs
Ideas, Examples, Measurements
6. Completed Playgrounds
Photos, Designs
7. Thanks
Introduction
As required by the Glasgow City Council Healthy Schools Scheme, Castlemilk
High and St.Margaret Mary’s New Learning Communities (NLC) completed a
Health Promotion Audit for every establishment (Secondary, Primary &
Nursery Schools).
Within these Audits, it was established that the majority of playgrounds
were dull and unstimulating areas for children and physical activity during
break times was on the decrease.
Both NLCs made the Playground Environment a priority of work and included
it in their Health Promotion Development Plans.
Money was used from the Health Promotion budget from the Healthy
Schools Scheme to purchase applicators and paints. Some establishments
already had purchased paints previously.
Additional Funding has been granted from Castlemilk Partnership Active
Lifestyles Group (Sportscotland Funding). This will enable more paint to be
bought and for a local person to take the lead role in applying the markings
and link with the Schools Health Development Officer to work alongside
parents and volunteers.
This initiative meets the requirements of the Health Promoting School (HPS)
and links to all aspects of the HPS Model.
Health Promoting School Model
Curriculum,
Learning &
Teaching
Environment, Resources and
Facilities
HEALTH PROMOTING
SCHOOL
Ethos &
Climate
Management &
Leadership
Personal, Social &
Health Education
Partnership
Working
Staff, Health &
Well - being
Health Promoting School
Curriculum , learning & teaching
The playground can be used as an extension to the classroom. Children can
link to many areas of the school curriculum by taking part in the activities.
This can include learning about numbers, letters, colours, shapes, problem
solving, road safety.
PE lessons can be made easier by painting simple court markings or adapting
and creating new games from the various markings painted.
Stories can be incorporated into the playground drawings and made more
interactive for children’s learning.
Teachers and children can become imaginative and creative . New fun
activities can be created to compliment the more traditional games. Games
can be adapted for each stage of a child’s development.
New skills are learned by teachers and children alike. Learning can be made
more fun and interactive.
Environment, resources and facilities
Colours and designs can make the dullest of school grounds seem more
vibrant and full of life. Schools can be made to look more stimulating,
welcoming and health enhancing. Large or small tarmac areas can be turned
into adventurous new learning zones and create safe areas for children to
play. Areas can be zoned for specific age groups or lessons. Great use can be
made of a blank space to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
The playground can be used as an extension of the classroom. Extra
curricular activities, evening clubs can also make use of this new community
facility. Where schools are used as unofficial play areas by children during
evenings, weekends and holiday periods, it has been shown that there is less
vandalism to buildings if children have activities to occupy them.
Personal, social & health education
The playground can be used to compliment Pre 5 and 5 – 14 guidelines.
New skills can be learned including social skills. Children can learn to be more
cooperative and play alongside others.
By taking part in formal and informal games and activities, a healthier
lifestyle can be achieved. Physical activity levels can be increased.
Partnership working
A whole community approach can be adopted for a painting playground
project. The project can be tackled by individual schools or as a NLC.
Pupils, parents and staff can all be consulted on designs, ideas and
application. This gives everyone the opportunity to have a say on what they
would like for their school. They can be involved in making a difference to
their school.
Parents and local volunteers are an excellent resource for applying the paint.
New skills can be learned and people can feel proud of their input into
improving the school. This is an ideal opportunity for parents who may not
feel comfortable with being part of formal school committees but want to
help in different ways.
Local agencies can highlight volunteers or expertise (not essential). Funding
for this type of project can also be sought locally.
The community can further benefit from the playground markings. Cultural &
Leisure Services, Community Clubs, Playgroups can take advantage of these
playground designs. There are possible training opportunities in learning how
to play children’s games effectively.
Playgrounds can be used to create a safe play area for local children (see
Environment).
Staff Heath & Well being
This can give staff good opportunities to link with Parents on a less formal
basis and create good relationships. Good learning and joint working
opportunities are provided. Staff consultation can take place on the designs.
Different teaching styles can be adopted when using the playground to
learn. The playground offers staff the opportunity to teach outwith the
classroom, this can be especially beneficial during summer months. Training
on playground games can be an option for staff.
Staff can encourage children to take part in physical activities and increase
social interaction.
Management & leadership
The whole school environment can be improved if Head Teachers decide this
is a project their school should get involved in.
Playground painting can involve the whole community to the benefit of the
whole community, showing that everyone has a role to play in making changes
in a school.
Good practice can be shared over the NLC and beyond.
Ethos & climate
Playground games and activities can help children make differences to their
behaviour and attitudes toward physical activities. There is seen to be an
importance placed on social interaction through play and physical activity.
There is constant opportunity for play.
The wider community can respect and view the school as more of a
community resource.
By involving staff, parents, pupils and community groups, this type of project
can be totally inclusive for all.
Equipment required / Estimated costs
No two school playgrounds will be the same. Games and courts can be scaled
to suit individual establishments.
It may look and sound complicated to produce playground markings but
people need not be apprehensive, anyone can do it.
The essential thing is to prepare properly and be confident.
To paint a playground you will need :
Equipment / materials
Wheeled paint applicator
Hand held paint applicator
Paint (Road marking paint or any external paint)
Paint brush
Ball of string
Blackboard chalk
Chalk
Dust masks
Rubber gloves (optional)
Tape measure
Large straight edge (1 metre at least)
Sweeping brush
Masking tape (optional)
Turps (optional)
Wire brush (optional)
Dry weather (essential)
Materials – estimated costs (costs taken from previous purchases)
Wheeled paint applicator
£ 75
Hand held paint applicator
£12
Paint (Road marking paint)
£4.50 per tin or £3.50 each if box of 12
Paint brushes
various
Ball of string
£4
Blackboard chalk
schools will have this
Jumbo Chalk for string line
£3 for a bucket
Dust masks
£4.60 for 50
Rubber gloves (optional)
£4.50 for 100
Tape measure (open reel)
£ 9.50 or use a household tape measure
Large straight edge (1 metre at least) schools normally have this or any wood
Sweeping brush
see the janitor
Masking tape (optional)
£1
Turps (optional)
£2
Wire brush (optional)
£2
Top Tips
Preparation
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Make sure you have permission
Visit previously painted schools
Draw your designs on paper
Wear old clothes
Don’t work on wet ground
Sweep the area before applying paint
Draw design in chalk before you paint
Mark out regular intervals using your tape measure
Always check measurements before you paint
Use different coloured chalks, specific lines are located easier
To create a long straight line, one person hold end of string, other rub chalk
along string line, place at each end point, pull tight on string, lift up string
and ping. This should create a straight chalk line to work with.
If working alone tie one end of the string around a brick and place at start
point
To create circles, measure the diameter of the circle, cut the length of
string required and wrap chalk around one end. Place other end on centre
point and move around circle, drawing with chalk. Ensure the string remains
at the centre point. Use the brick technique if working alone
Application
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Try out you painting technique if you can, on a scrap piece of board or
derelict area
Paint while dry
Try not to paint if it is too windy, you’ll waste a lot of paint
Support applicator trolley with two hands, playgrounds can be really bumpy
Be confident, try to spray continuously, less stop and start
If assisted, get the other person to tell you when you reach the end of a line
To fix a wobbly line, straighten it up by moving the applicator across to
thicken it
Apply 3 – 4 coats of paint for better results and more prominent lines
Don’t worry about imperfections, this is large scale, it will look ok
Paint will absorb into tarmac quicker than on concrete slabs. If working on
slabs give the paint more time to dry.
Materials – equipment use
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Mark lines on your straight edge at regular intervals to save you always
needing your tape measure
Clean your applicator thoroughly after use (wheels especially). Paint will clog
and restrict spray and movement
Tip your applicator onto front wheels to create smaller circles
Attach nozzles to paint tins pointing away from your face and the area to be
painted
When fixing paint to applicators, point away from your face and the area to
be painted
General
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Ask your HDO or Active Schools Coordinator to get involved
Paint large designs first, then fit smaller designs around them
Ask children what they like, involve them
Use white or yellow paint for most design outlines, these colours stand out
more
Try to include a variety of colours in designs for better learning
opportunities
Organise demonstrations for people who want to get involved from the whole
NLC, have a training event
Visit other establishments with lines painted
Tap into local agencies for funding, volunteers, etc
Paint lines going in the same direction first (all horizontal or vertical). If you
can wait for it to dry first, then do so. This will prevent the applicator
wheels from trailing over paint
The paint should dry in a couple of hours, try to leave it for a day before
playing on it
There are numerous companies out there who supply road marking paint.
Shop around for the best deal
Outdoor paint (white) is ideal for line markings for roads
Be creative, be confident
Designs
String chalk lines examples
Snakes and Ladders
41
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43
38
39
22
44
45
46
47
48
49
37
36
35
34
33
32
50
finish
31
27
28
29
30
14
13
12
23
21
20
24
17
19
2
1
18
3
4
25
16
5
26
15
6
8
9
11
10
7
start
Size of individual boxes between 0.7 and 1 metre
For best results, paint boxes either yellow or white and paint numbers the
opposite colour (yellow or white)
Paint boxes first, snakes and ladders next, then finish off with numbers
Paint ladders one colour, paint snakes one main colour (different from
ladders, boxes and numbers) keep them simple. Brighten them up with
coloured spots. Red tongue shaped like a Y
Hopscotch
Size of individual boxes between 0.5 and 0.7 metres
8
5
2
10
7
4
1
9
6
3
After chalking the outline, chalk in numbers to help you see what line you
should be painting. All theses chalk lines can cause confusion
Throw game
Numbers can be painted into each circle to represent points scored for landing
object in ring.
Flowers
Don’t worry if your petals aren’t exact sizes. Nor are natures.
Road Markings
Give Way
Roundabout
Bus Stop
Zebra Crossing
Speed Limits
Stop
Sports Courts Basketball, Netball, Volleyball
Remember white and yellow are 2 good colours to use, to stand out.
The colours above are for this document only.
28m
Basketball
6.25m
1.8 m
15m
3.6 m
6m
1.25m
5.8m
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Netball
5m
15m
10m
30m
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9m
Volleyball
3m
9m
18m
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Short
Tennis
6.1m
13.4m
Photos
Comments
St.Martin’s Extended Day Care Nursery
It has made our outdoor environment more attractive, which has enabled us to
enhance the children’s physical, development and movement activities.
Mary Shields, Officer in Charge
Always something to do in the playground, even if the children are only out for a
short time. Helena, Nursery Staff I like the running races in the lines. David I
like the snake, you can see the letters in your name. Charley I learned to do my
colours with the painted lines. Darcy I like to hop and jump at hopscotch. Kieran
The paint makes the playground nice and bright. Sarah
Castlemilk Family Learning Centre
The children now use the outdoor area very well, it looks great and is very
eye catching. I'd say it is a success. Kathy Harris, Child Development Officer
The outdoor area can now be used to support the equipment we have. ie, the road
safety equipment is well supported by the pedestrian crossing and the road
markings. The children enjoy the outdoor area and have taken notice of the various
games and pictures. Theresa Donnelly, Child Development Team Leader
I like it because its lovely and I like the hopscotch the best. Colleen
I like the circles and the ladybird as well. Joseph
Windlaw Primary School
The children are really pleased with to have new games in their playground. Our
school will be developing a programme to teach the children how to play all the
games. We hope to involve the parents group and senior pupils in this. June
McDonald, Head Teacher
I enjoyed being able to improve my child’s school playground . Never imagined I
could do something like this. Shirley, Parent
Castlemilk High School
These outdoor facilities are a great benefit to the pupils and our department
overall. This has allowed us to create a safe, spacious area to deliver a variety of
activities. Fraser Gilchrist, Principal Teacher PE
Having the outdoor courts facility has been good for pupils and teachers alike. It
has allowed us to deliver sports activities, which would have previously been
confined to indoors. Debbie McGaw, PE Teacher It was good to be involved in
painting this as I really enjoy Basketball and this means we can now play Basketball
outside. Grant S5
St.Margaret Mary’s Primary School
It helps pupils integrate and play together in a constructive, more organised way it certainly brightens up the normally grey concrete. More needed now for the
upper school, please!! Liz Kelly, Pupil Support Assistant
Everything is now really bright and cheerful and it keeps you fit. Nathan (age 7)
It helps the wee ones practice their sums and helps all children play together. Sara
(age 7) I had a great time doing this for my kids school. Caroline - Parent
Castlemilk Day Nursery
This really brightens up our playground. We are now planning designs for our other
areas. Carol, Nursery Staff I like to ride the bikes on the roads in nursery. Iona
I like all of it Flynn
Thank you
This resource has been produced in association with Castlemilk High and
St.Margaret Mary’s New Learning Communities.
The learning establishments have welcomed the opportunity to allow their
playgrounds to be developed into fun and creative learning and play zones. They
have assisted in the design and application and created new opportunities for
parents to become involved in their child’s schools and or nurseries.
Thanks to all the artists, parents and volunteers (Helen, Caroline, Isobel, Shirley,
Jamie and Grant) who have been involved in applying the designs.
Children have also been a great source for ideas for activities that will help them
learn and play.
There are increased opportunities for learning and play. There has already been an
inter schools Primary 7 Basketball Tournament run at Castlemilk High School’s new
outdoor courts in conjunction with Cultural & Leisure Services.
We will continue to apply the playground games to all establishments in both New
Learning Communities as requested.
Additional thanks go to the Castlemilk Partnership, Active Lifestyles Group for
allocating additional funding to enable the work to be carried out in all
establishments that require playground designs.
If you require any further information on this project, please contact
John Harkins, Health Development Officer
Castlemilk High New Learning Community
223 Castlemilk Drive,
Glasgow, G45 9JY
0141 582 0050
or
St.Margaret Mary’s New Learning Community
9 Birgidale Road,
Glasgow, G45 9NJ
0141 582 0250
JHarkins@st-margaretmarys-sec.glasgow.sch.uk