School Playground Equipment and Outdoor Classrooms

Children playing on KOMPAN's playground equipment for schools

Physical activity in school playgrounds - the key to good health and better learning and attendance in schools

Being physically active on school playground equipment is key to good health, better learning outcomes and high attendance in all levels of educational institutions, from early childhood and primary schools to secondary schools and universities.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. But far too many children and teens are nowhere near that.

KOMPAN has built outdoor play and fitness sites for Australian schools (state and private) and education facilities for decades.

So, whether you're a Principal, Bursar, Business Manager or P&C member, KOMPAN can help you navigate the complexities of designing and building outdoor play equipment for your school that suits your site and meets your budget.

Every item that KOMPAN designs for a school playground is evaluated and designed to maximise children's learning and development, ultimately supporting positive learning outcomes and increased attention span in the classroom.

In addition to climbing frames for schools KOMPAN can help you to design a functional educational playground, outdoor fitness or multisports gyms for your secondary school environment. These spaces can be used to promote exercise during lunchtime or could be utilised for Health and Physical Education classes.

Check out this case study from Scotland to see what you can achieve with the best playground equipment for schools from KOMPAN.

To discover more inspiration visit the following pages:

KOMPAN Play Institute gives you 10 tips to designing active school playgrounds

Watch the video for Head of KOMPAN Play Institute, Jeanette Fich Jespersen's, 10 tips to choosing school playground equipment that promotes physical activity in children.

KOMPAN playground equipment for all school ages

Why do schools need quality playground and fitness equipment?

Many Australian schools struggle to include high-quality playground equipment for their students. However, choosing maintainable, appealing, functional and safe school play and fitness equipment will ultimately be more durable and benefit your students and community for years to come.

A KOMPAN school playground is a healthy investment in learning and health. Well-designed school playgrounds:

Improve physical and cognitive development
Encourage social connectedness
Increase pupil attendance
Maintain an attractive school environment
Raise pupil attainment
Boost academic achievements
Improve student attention

To learn more about school playgrounds and play equipment, contact KOMPAN to discuss your specific project details.

Primary School

We have been working with Australian primary schools to help boost attendance, attention and attainment by installing unique and engaging playground equipment. Our primary school playground equipment offers challenging and creative learning through play to boost curriculum outcomes.

Secondary school

At KOMPAN, we have proven that the right outdoor opportunities, designed in the right way, are still a well-rounded way for secondary school children to hang out together and be active while being social. We offer unique play and sports solutions specifically aimed at this age group.

Colleges & Universities

Whether you are looking for great multi-use games areas, trendy cross-training, cardio, strength or street workout equipment for outdoor training, KOMPAN has a solution for all. Our product range for colleges and universities will help you create a popular and functional area for being active and for learning.

Over 50 years experience creating playground equipment for schools

After helping thousands of schools get the most out of their outdoor space, we understand that every area has unique requirements. That's why we offer the best outdoor playground equipment for schools that meet your needs while respecting your budget.

Our diverse team of play consultants, landscape designers and engineers work together to follow a specially developed KOMPAN playground planning process that gives you a tailored plan containing holistic expert advice.

Our design principals take into account how the school playground equipment will support your students, curriculum, space, surroundings, and activities.

The finished result is an entirely original design that provides the greatest possible value for the school, outdoor space, and the students.

KOMPAN outdoor playground equipment for schools

KOMPAN's outdoor classroom equipment for schools

Outdoor Classrooms

Outdoor classrooms help create more space for teaching and more social distance between your pupils.

Here are our 13 tips on how to create an outdoor classroom

1.The outdoor learning site should have a gathering space for students to listen to instructors (seating with whiteboards), as well as active learning stations for students to do hands-on activities (tables) these spaces can be thought of and designed as ‘rooms’ within the overall outdoor space, and should always be in clear sight of the teacher/instructor
2.The outdoor learning space should not look the same as the indoor learning space – instead of square or rectangular spaces, think circles and ovals
3.The outdoor learning site should be designed for access and inclusion for persons using assistive devices – make sure that seating areas and tables have pathways wide enough for students using wheelchairs or walking frames
4.The site of the outdoor learning should not be far from toilets/wash stations and first aid
5.There should be clear boundaries to the outdoor learning site, and a designated whole group meeting point in case of emergency
6.Teachers and supervisors should have clear sightlines to supervise their groups at all times
7.The site of the outdoor learning should have electricity, wifi and phone access
8.The outdoor learning site should maximise opportunities for students to engage with natural elements and learn from nature (trees plants, water, gardens)
9.Where students are working with tablets and computers, there will need to be protections from glare
10.Consider the thermal comfort of students and teachers – this will vary with climate and time of year, but could mean a need for shade or a need for heating/blankets
11.The outdoor learning site will need space for dry storage
12.The outdoor learning site will need space for display of work
13.The outdoor learning site will need a space for or access to sheltering from rain or snow