Games Galore As Academy Invests In total-play MUGA
Following receipt of funds through a Government scheme aimed at improving the quality of PE and games provision for pupils, Stisted Church of England Primary Academy in Essex has invested in a purpose-built multi use games area (MUGA) to be used for a wide range of games and activities.
Since the new MUGA has been installed, it is used every play time and during PE lessons.
The school invited several contractors to pitch for the contract to develop of an area of green space into a synthetic MUGA. The school was impressed by total-play’s recommendation of an all-weather, sand-filled synthetic carpet due to its low level of maintenance and long life span, as well as its proposed design of heavy-duty fencing and bespoke recessed football goals with basket ball hoops at both ends, to meet the school’s exact needs.
Academy representatives also visited a number of other facilities throughout the UK – including the total-play MUGA recently installed at Orwell Park School in Suffolk – inspecting each for effectiveness and durability. This too featured a synthetic playing surface and, after witnessing the merits of total-play’s work at first-hand, Stisted Academy had no hesitation in appointing the team to complete the project.
Due to the project being undertaken at a live school, it was required that the facility be constructed during a strict window of opportunity during the summer holidays. The total-play team rose to the challenge with works completed and the site cleared within four weeks, within the budget initially agreed with the client. Chairman of Governors at Stisted Primary Academy, Derek Adams, says of the project:
“We’re delighted with the result – the project was completed on time by personnel who were very pleasant and helpful throughout. We got the feeling that they were genuinely interested in providing a solution that would work for the school’s needs, and adapted elements like the basketball hoops to suit.
“Since the new MUGA has been installed, the response has been hugely enthusiastic – it is used every play time and during PE lessons. The children are very excited about their new facility and it looks set to be a great asset to the school.”