Project Details

BSFG worked with Deptford Green School to transform and enhance its outdoor recreation facilities, creating a safer and more versatile environment that supports both breaktime use and structured physical education. Originally constructed in 2012 and recognised with the School Building of the Year Award, the school aimed to maximise the value of locally funded investment by upgrading its existing playground and outdoor social spaces.

Project objectives:

• Improve the quality and flexibility of outdoor sports provision
• Create safe and secure play areas for different age groups
• Reduce the risk of injury in active play environments
• Increase the amount of covered outdoor seating for year-round use
• Minimise disruption to existing infrastructure and underground services
• Complement the existing building’s architecture and colourful façade

Our Solution

To meet the school's objectives, BSFG designed and delivered two dedicated Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), alongside a bespoke 56-metre-long monopitch canopy.

Multi-Use Games Areas

Two separate MUGAs were installed to cater for different age groups, allowing younger and older pupils to enjoy age-appropriate sporting activities within dedicated spaces.

Each MUGA was equipped with integrated goal end units featuring Football goals & Basketball hoops.

This dual-sport configuration enables the spaces to be used flexibly throughout the school day, supporting both recreational play and curriculum-based PE lessons.

To enhance safety and containment, the MUGAs feature:

• Large accessible access gates
• Secure perimeter fencing
• Overhead ball-stop netting installed by the school

Together, these measures create a fully enclosed playing environment that prevents balls from leaving the courts and improves safety for pupils and staff across the wider playground.

The playing surfaces were finished with high-quality artificial turf, providing several benefits over traditional hard surfaces, including:

• Reduced noise levels during play
• Improved comfort underfoot
• Lower risk of impact injuries
• Enhanced year-round usability

The result is a more enjoyable and inclusive sporting environment that encourages active participation from pupils of all ages.

Monopitch Canopy

Alongside the sports facilities, BSFG supplied and installed a 56-metre monopitch canopy beneath the building's undercroft area, significantly increasing the amount of sheltered outdoor seating available to the school.

Based on our Heron cantilever design the canopy creates a practical covered space for picnic tables, social interaction and outdoor learning, allowing pupils and staff to make use of the area regardless of weather conditions.

To complement the school's striking architectural design, the canopy structure was powder-coated in a range of vibrant colours that reflect the existing building façade the legs have also been bespoke designed to align with buildings exist concrete pillars.

A bespoke flashing detail was incorporated into the design to prevent rainwater ingress into the undercroft area. This solution effectively manages water runoff without requiring a direct connection to the building structure, helping to maintain compliance with fire safety requirements.

The monopitch cantilever design was selected for its efficiency and practicality. By requiring fewer support columns than alternative canopy designs, the structure:

• Minimises excavation works
• Reduces disruption to existing underground services
• Creates a more open environment
• Lowers the number of obstacles within pupil circulation routes

This approach provided a cost-effective solution while maximising usable space beneath the canopy.

Outcome

The completed project has significantly enhanced the school's outdoor provision, creating a safe, attractive and highly functional environment for both recreation and learning.

The combination of dedicated MUGAs, secure sports facilities and extensive covered seating has enabled Deptford Green School to maximise the use of its outdoor spaces throughout the year. Pupils now benefit from improved opportunities for physical activity, while staff and students have access to additional sheltered areas that support social interaction, outdoor dining and informal learning.

By carefully balancing performance, safety and aesthetics, BSFG delivered a solution that makes the most of the school's available budget while complementing the award-winning design of the existing campus.