Always on
This project successfully funded on 5th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Inspiring Nature-Rich Playground at Hennock School
Newton Abbot, England, United Kingdom
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Aim
To transform our village school playground into a resilient, inclusive, nature-rich space for outdoor learning, wellbeing and creative play
Who are we, and what is our project about?
We are the PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) of Hennock Community Primary School — a small village school on the edge of Dartmoor that plays a big role in keeping our rural community connected and thriving. We work alongside school staff, families and local supporters to raise funds, widen opportunities for pupils, and protect the future of our school.
Our vision is to create a safe, inclusive, nature-rich and climate-resilient playground that supports outdoor learning, wellbeing and exploratory play all year round. We want a space where children can test ideas, take safe risks, build, dig, investigate and imagine — not just “use equipment”.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Right now, our playground is struggling. The existing surface is deteriorating and messy, leaving children covered in black residue from old tyres; and parts of the area regularly flood in wet weather - a problem that’s becoming more frequent as rainfall patterns change. This limits safe play and outdoor learning, and it’s particularly frustrating in a school that values being outdoors. For whole of the last half-term, the area this project is focused on - the only "green space" in the playground - has been "out of bounds" to children due to flooding/mud.
We also want to build on what already works. The children love our established willow arch, which is a valued feature they actively engage with. The "Netton", a traditional thatch and cob building in the playground, is just about to open as a vibrant space for table tennis. Our aim is to keep and protect these special natural elements, while making the wider space more usable, inclusive and resilient.
As a small rural school, we don’t have access to the kinds of capital budgets that would make a project like this straightforward. Yet the playground is central to daily school life, and it’s also one of the first things prospective families see. Improving it will benefit pupils immediately — and help strengthen the long-term resilience of our school as a vital village hub.
Why a Thriving School Means a Thriving Village
You might not have children at the school right now, but a thriving primary school is the heartbeat of our village. Its future affects us all.
- The Heart of Our Community. Events like the famous Barn Dance help power village social life. The school supports the Pub, the Hall, and the Church. If the school shrinks, the village shrinks.
- A Legacy for the Valley. Help us ensure that the next generation of Hennock children grow up with the same happy memories of village life that you cherish.
- Protecting Your Investment. Estate agents consistently report that a "Good" local school is a primary driver of house prices. By making Hennock a desirable "forever village" for young families, we ensure our community remains vibrant—safeguarding the village character and long-term value of every home.
How we’ll spend the money raised
We will use the funds to deliver practical, long-lasting improvements with a strong focus on drainage, sustainability, inclusion and nature connection, including:
- Flood resilience and drainage works (e.g., soakaway base and French drains) to reduce standing water and keep the playground usable through wetter periods
- Permeable, sustainable surfacing throughout, using woodchip and recycled rubber mulch (from the most sustainable supplier we can source), improving safety, cleanliness and accessibility
- A covered outdoor area/shelter, helping Early Years and other pupils access outdoor play and learning in rain, high winds or strong sun
- Exploratory play features and “space to explore”, such as den-building and loose-parts play, plus natural play elements (e.g., bridges, tunnels, gates and routes that weave through the area) to increase creativity, movement, collaboration and confidence
- Natural, durable construction materials (e.g., timber) wherever possible to reduce environmental impact and create a warmer, more nature-connected play environment
- Planting and nature-rich areas that encourage children to engage with biodiversity, seasonal change and climate — turning the playground into a “living classroom”
- Protecting and enhancing existing loved features, including the willow arch, so the refreshed playground keeps its character as well as gaining resilience
We will maximise value for money by combining grant funding with community effort and goodwill, including in-kind help and support from local businesses wherever appropriate. We’ll run community planting and seasonal care sessions with families and local residents to build shared ownership of the green space.
How you can help
There are three simple ways to support our project:
- Donate— every contribution helps us create a safer, drier, more inspiring outdoor space. For example:
- £50 buys a beautiful rugged new wooden bench
- £150 will buy a signpost to invite children to play
- £250 will buy a hexagonal planter to grow vegetables
- £500 provides a super sand kitchen
- £1000 will fund free-play tripods and balancing beams
- £3000 will pay for a great bridge and tunnels
- £7500 will pay for free-draining, eco-friendly, non-marking surfacing for our youngest children
- Share — please spread the word through friends, family and local networks to build momentum.
- Get involved — if you can help with planting, landscaping, materials, skills or advice, we’d love to hear from you - please complete this form.
With your support, we can create a playground that is fit for the future: resilient to wetter weather, kinder to the environment, richer in nature — and better for children’s play, learning and wellbeing.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made