At Appleton Primary School in Oxfordshire, UK, S and C Slatter Ltd have helped achieve a positive link for sport, play and fitness through the provision of a multi-functional area.

As a small village primary school with limited 'dry' play space, maximising every square metre was an important consideration for the school.

The facility installed by S and C Slatter comprises an open multi-functional 'sports area' linked to a trail of climbing and balancing equipment.

With the facility not having a fence, it means that it can be used in conjunction with the surrounding playing field when conditions allow, and increases the variety of games that can be played.

Using the porous VHAF(R) NottsSward(R) surface, which is said to be more child-friendly than concrete, asphalt or rubber, pupils now use the area as the schools main playground, for organised PE and numerous other games activities.

The contrasting colours also help form a netball court as well as create zones for games of tag and an array of ball games.