1. The school is on a small site, in a residential, urban area. The site contained: Play ground Early Years area Car park ‘No go’ a large Victorian building a tarmac playground an Early Years area a car park a ‘no go’ area Leesland Infants School, Gosport 250 pupils

2. next to a noisy, busy road and public footpath The site evaluation of the grounds showed that the playground was not in the best place because it was: Play ground only railings separated pupils from the public a cold,windy space. overshadowed by the imposing Victorian buildings

3. Hall Yr R Car park The site evaluation also showed that there were concerns about other spaces too, for instance: the car park was crossed by a main pupil route

4. and also next to the Yr R extension, which is a child friendly building in scale and design Hall Yr R in a warm sheltered spot In addition, the evaluation revealed that the car park occupied a prime part of the site because it was... a quiet, traffic free lane the well used hall/dining room It was also next to Car park Hall Yr R

5. The whole site strategy that emerged suggested the following: Redefining the use of the front for boisterous, active play and games Car park Hall Yr R Redesign of the released area - for imaginative and quiet play - as a teaching space - as a safe access route Utilisation of the ‘no go’ area now safe to use because of the new arrangement Relocation of the car park to the Junior School or elsewhere on the site

6. The school have begun to implement their strategy with a first phase:

7. Hall Yr R Including a quiet, imaginative and social play space for use at play/lunchtimes A design brief was prepared, the appropriate advice was secured and the space was designed and developed to provide an outdoor learning space: And exploiting the links with the Hall by creating an outdoor area for events, assemblies, outdoor eating and waiting parents. Phase 1: the area released from parking

8. A comment from the school demonstrates how stepping back and taking a long term strategic view can bring lasting benefits: “The process was invaluable as we gained a thorough understanding of the whole site and the needs of the children before developing our ideas with expert guidance.“ (Headteacher)