Little Aston School's playtime pioneers

Mar 6 2008 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

YOUNGSTERS at a Staffordshire school are set to be the first in the country to trial new hi-tech playground equipment.

Work is due to be completed in the next few weeks on installing the UK's first outside SmartUs playground at Little Aston Primary School, near Sutton Coldfield. The school started looking for play equipment to transform a bland grass area last year.

SmartUs equipment, designed by Finnish manufacturer Lappset, aims at motivating people of all ages to exercise and learn through the application of information technology.

Elizabeth Pearce, the headteacher, said: "As a Healthy School, we researched several possibilities and types of outdoor play facilities and were delighted to seize the opportunity to become a reference site for this equipment.

"SmartUs gives us the best opportunities to encapsulate the school's ethos of providing children with innovative opportunities to enjoy learning, incorporate ICT and promote all aspects of physical education.

"We also want to establish the school as a pioneer in looking for new ways to engage children with technology.

"As well as the many benefits for the school it is hoped that the local community and other schools will be able to use the equipment."