Playing in 3 Dimensions – Chard, Somerset – May 2023

3 Dimensions is a small independent SEN school in Chard, Somerset. The school caters to pupils with social, emotional, language and communication learning difficulties, as well as students on the autistic spectrum. At Rhino Play, we have extensive experience in designing and installing SEN, special educational needs playground equipment, which is why we were more than qualified to help with the school’s newest project.

How Did Rhino Play Help The SEN School?

The school wanted to help encourage their pupils to focus their energy, excitement and frustrations on developing their physical and creative play skills. The plan was to create a fun, safe and interactive environment that would help them focus their attention and emotions, without directing them at others in a potentially negative way.

Our team quickly got to work with the playground designing and planning, to create the ‘go to’ zone that the school required. We worked closely with the school to create an outdoor space that helped to target a range of muscles and physical (and mental) attributes. The design included:

• Castle tower hub – a sheltered area where students could seek refuge, either alone or with friends.
• Cobweb walk & vertical net climber – helping to encourage upper body strength and problem-solving.
• Pull-up bar – challenging and improving their physical fitness and mental stamina.
• Traverse and climbing wall – designed to help children work together and improve their problem-solving skills.
• Trapeze swing – to increase core and upper body strength.
• Bird nest swing – fitted on their preexisting artificial grass, so students had a soothing and fun space to relax and unwind in.

All of the above was installed on Rhino Play’s playground safety surfacing and rubber mulch surfacing to provide year-round access to the equipment, without having to worry about slippery grass or mud.