Schools knowledge

Practical guidance for schools planning outdoor environments: how to plan a project, what nature play and outdoor learning ask of a site, which Australian Standards apply and how to design for every student.

Planning and master planning

• How do you plan a school playground or outdoor environment?
• How long does a school playground project take?
• How do you stage a school playground project over several years?
• How do you future-proof a school playground?
• Why is student voice important in school outdoor design?
• Playform for Architects and Consultants
• Playform for P&Cs and P&F’s

Nature and outdoor learning

• How do you create a nature play space at a school?
• What is an outdoor learning environment at a school?

Safety, standards and inclusion

• What playground standards apply to Australian schools?
• How do you design an inclusive school playground?

Shade, surfacing and materials

• How should schools plan for shade in outdoor play areas?
• What playground surfacing is best for schools?
• Is synthetic grass sustainable for schools?

Student voice and wellbeing

• How should student voice be included in playground design?
• How can school grounds support learning, play and student wellbeing?

Funding and procurement

• Where can schools find funding and grants for playground and outdoor projects?
• How do NSW public schools navigate AMU procurement for outdoor projects?
• Can a school playground be built during term time?

Working with ULP

Questions about Playform and how a school project runs: what it is, what it costs, how it adapts to your site and what happens after you enquire.

1. What is Playform?

   Playform is ULP’s product system of professionally designed outdoor environments, with separate applications for Schools and Childcare. Rather than starting every project from scratch, schools can choose from a range of proven play spaces, outdoor learning spaces, sports spaces and campus spaces that have been refined through decades of experience.

   Each Playform environment is designed to be adapted to suit your school, site and budget while maintaining the quality, functionality and safety of a proven solution. The result is a faster, simpler and more predictable pathway from concept to construction.

2. How much does a Playform project cost?

   Every school and site is different, however Playform is designed to suit a range of budgets that align with the procurement pathways for different types of schools.

   During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your priorities and recommend options that align with your available funding and particular delivery pathway.

   Some schools may choose to deliver their outdoor environment in stages, allowing them to maximise available budgets while working towards a longer-term goal.

   Whether you’re creating a single play space or transforming multiple areas over several years, we can help develop a practical delivery strategy.

3. Can Playform be adapted to suit our school?

   Playform environments can be adapted to suit your school site, available space and project requirements.

   Each Playform environment has been carefully designed as a balanced, holistic outdoor space, with consideration given to play value, movement, supervision, shade, seating, circulation, safety and long-term usability. Rather than redesigning the concept from scratch, ULP makes minor site-specific adjustments so the selected environment works effectively within your school grounds while preserving the integrity of the original design.

4. What areas do you service?

   ULP designs and constructs outdoor environments for schools throughout Greater Sydney. By focusing on a defined service area, we’re able to provide responsive communication, consistent project delivery and ongoing support throughout every stage of your project.

5. How long does a Playform project take?

   Timeframes vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, but every project follows a structured delivery process from initial consultation through to construction and handover.

   Following your enquiry, we’ll discuss your objectives, assess your site, recommend suitable Playform environments and prepare a proposal tailored to your school. Once approved, our team manages design refinement, documentation, procurement and construction to ensure the project progresses smoothly with minimal disruption to school operations.

   Where possible, construction can also be scheduled during school holidays or other suitable periods to reduce impacts on students and staff.

6. What happens after I enquire?

   Every enquiry begins with a conversation about your school, your goals and the type of outdoor environment you’d like to create. We’ll discuss your project, budget expectations, procurement pathway and project objectives to determine the most appropriate next step.

   Depending on your circumstances, this may include providing preliminary budget guidance, recommending suitable Playform environments, supporting a grant application, arranging a site consultation or assisting your school with its procurement process.

   Once your project is ready to proceed, ULP works closely with your school and procurement team to help make the transition from planning through to construction as straightforward and well-supported as possible.

Planning a project?

• Outdoor environments for schools
• Talk to us about your project