My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered legal entity
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), evidence of access to a lease for the space you are leveraging, and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions.
Yes
First Name
DIANA
Last Name
ABIRI-NOAH
Pronouns
She/Her
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
1
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
No
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
No
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Lead Organisation Name
ST STEPHENS CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
1900
Initiative Title
REFURBISH PLAYGROUND
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
https://www.st-stephens.lambeth.sch.uk/Our-School/Welcome/
Initiative Stage
Idea (You have a solid concept and are hoping to get started in the future)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Children & Youth
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
The existing outdoor playground is in need of redevelopment to ensure it provides a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for primary school children. The current surface consists of old tarmac, which has deteriorated over time and now presents multiple trip hazards. This hard flooring increases the risk of injury during play and limits opportunities for safe physical activity, particularly for younger children and those with additional needs. Replacing the hard tarmac with a grassed surface would significantly improve safety by reducing the impact of falls and removing uneven areas that currently pose a risk. A grass floor would also enhance the overall appearance of the playground, creating a brighter, more welcoming space that encourages children to spend time outdoors and engage in active play.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
Redeveloping the playground would provide substantial physical, social, and emotional benefits for pupils. Access to a safer, softer outdoor environment supports physical development by encouraging running, climbing, and cooperative games, all of which contribute to improved fitness and motor skills. Outdoor play is also vital for children’s mental wellbeing, offering opportunities to reduce stress, build confidence, and develop resilience. As a high pupil premium school with a diverse student population, it is particularly important to provide high-quality outdoor facilities that all children can access equally. Many pupils may have limited access to safe green spaces outside of school, making the playground a crucial area for play, social interaction, and learning. An improved playground would promote inclusion, allowing children of different abilities, backgrounds, and needs to play together in a safe and supportive environment.
Your approach: How are you/ will you addressing the problem outlined above? How does your solution unlock or reimagine access to spaces for sport and physical activity? What role do landowners, local authorities, or other decision-making stakeholders play in your approach? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
Rather than being a space used cautiously or intermittently, the redeveloped playground will become a central, multi-use area for: -Daily active play during break and lunchtimes -Structured PE lessons and movement-based interventions -Outdoor learning and wellbeing activities -After-school clubs and community events This approach shifts the playground from a single-purpose space into a shared community asset that maximises access to physical activity throughout the school day and beyond. The success of this initiative relies on collaboration with key stakeholders. The school, as landowner and primary decision-maker, is committed to long-term maintenance and inclusive use of the space. Engagement with the local authority ensures alignment with health and safety standards, safeguarding requirements, and broader community wellbeing priorities. Parents, carers, and staff are also involved through consultation, helping to shape a solution that reflects the needs of the children and the wider community. This collaborative approach ensures the redevelopment is sustainable, supported, and embedded into school and community life rather than operating as a standalone project. The idea for this initiative emerged from daily observation of how the current playground was being used—and avoided. Staff noticed that pupils were limiting their movement, avoiding certain areas due to uneven surfaces, and experiencing minor injuries that reduced confidence in outdoor play. The “aha” moment came with the realisation that the barrier to physical activity was not a lack of motivation or equipment, but the environment itself.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
A redeveloped playground would also bring benefits to the wider school community. An attractive, well-maintained outdoor space enhances pride in the school environment for pupils, staff, parents, and carers. It demonstrates a commitment to children’s wellbeing and safety, which can strengthen relationships with families and the local community. Additionally, a greener playground contributes positively to the school’s surroundings by increasing natural elements, improving visual appeal, and supporting environmental awareness. Over time, the space could be used for outdoor learning, community events, and informal gatherings, further strengthening community connections. Overall, redeveloping the playground is a necessary investment that will improve safety, promote wellbeing, support inclusion, and provide long-term benefits for both pupils and the wider community.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in unlocking spaces for and access to physical activity and sport so far? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had , and or what impact do you envision having in the future?
This initiative has significant potential to unlock access to physical activity and sport by transforming an underutilised and unsafe outdoor space into a welcoming, inclusive, and functional environment for daily movement and play. Currently, the condition of the playground—with hard, uneven tarmac and trip hazards—acts as a barrier to sustained physical activity, particularly for younger pupils and those with additional needs. Redevelopment will remove these barriers and actively encourage more frequent, varied, and confident participation in physical activity. Where improvements to outdoor provision and structured play opportunities have already been introduced within the school, there has been a noticeable increase in pupil engagement during breaktimes and lunchtimes. Children are more willing to participate in active play when they feel safe, and staff report improved behaviour, reduced minor injuries, and more positive social interactions. These early indicators demonstrate that investment in safer, more inviting spaces directly supports increased physical activity and wellbeing.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
What sets this initiative apart is its holistic, child-centred approach to unlocking physical activity by transforming an existing but underperforming space into a flexible, inclusive, and sustainable outdoor environment. Rather than installing fixed, high-cost play equipment or short-term interventions, this initiative focuses on removing structural barriers to movement and creating a natural, adaptable space that supports a wide range of physical activities. Many playground solutions rely heavily on static equipment that can limit creativity, exclude some pupils, and require significant ongoing maintenance. In contrast, this initiative prioritises an environment-led design, using a grassed surface that encourages free movement, imaginative play, and informal sport. This allows children to shape their own play experiences—running, team games, cooperative challenges, and quiet physical activity—rather than being restricted to predefined equipment.
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your initiative up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
The initiative is being set up for success through careful planning, strong governance, and early stakeholder engagement. From the outset, the school leadership team, governors, and site management staff are involved to ensure the redevelopment aligns with health and safety requirements, curriculum needs, and long-term school priorities. Clear ownership has been established, with designated responsibility for oversight, maintenance, and evaluation. Staff are being supported to integrate the space into daily practice, ensuring it is not viewed as a one-off improvement but as an active part of the school’s physical activity and wellbeing provision. This includes planned use during breaktimes, physical education lessons, movement breaks, and structured interventions to support pupils’ physical and emotional development. Baseline observations of playground use, pupil engagement, and minor injury incidents provide a starting point for measuring impact and tracking improvement over time. To ensure sustained impact, the school will monitor: Frequency and variety of physical activity during playtimes Pupil engagement and confidence in outdoor play Behaviour and wellbeing indicators linked to active play Reduction in minor injuries and accidents Feedback from pupils, staff, and parents will be used to refine how the space is used and to demonstrate ongoing impact to funders and stakeholders. The long-term vision is to scale this initiative beyond a single playground redevelopment. Once established, the model can be replicated across other outdoor areas within the school, such as additional play zones or shared green spaces.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
Responsibilities for this initiative are shared across a small but well-defined team, ensuring clear accountability while promoting collaboration and sustainability. School Leadership and Governance Senior leaders and governors provide strategic oversight, ensuring the initiative aligns with the school’s vision, safeguarding requirements, and long-term priorities. They are responsible for approving plans, monitoring progress, and ensuring appropriate use of funding. Project Lead / Operational Oversight (headteacher, school business Manager and Premises Officer) A designated project lead coordinates the day-to-day delivery of the initiative. This role includes liaising with contractors or suppliers, managing timelines, overseeing health and safety compliance, and ensuring the redevelopment meets agreed objectives. Site and Facilities Team The site management team plays a key operational role in preparing the space, supporting implementation, and embedding routine maintenance into existing schedules. Their involvement ensures the playground remains safe, accessible, and well maintained over time. Teaching and Support Staff Teaching and support staff contribute by integrating the redeveloped space into daily practice. This includes supervising active play, delivering outdoor learning and physical activity sessions, and providing feedback on pupil engagement, behaviour, and wellbeing. Pupils and Families Pupil voice is valued through informal consultation and observation, helping shape how the space is used and adapted. Parents and carers are engaged through communication and community events, fostering shared ownership and long-term support for the initiative. External Partners and Local Authority (where applicable) Where required, the local authority and external partners provide guidance on compliance, safeguarding, and best practice. Their involvement helps ensure the initiative meets regulatory standards and supports wider community wellbeing goals. By clearly defining roles while encouraging collaboration, the initiative benefits from shared responsibility, efficient delivery, and long-term sustainability. This approach ensures the project is embedded into everyday school life rather than relying on a single individual or short-term intervention.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Phase 1: Planning and Preparation Milestone 1 – Needs Assessment and Baseline Review Review current playground condition, safety risks, and usage patterns Gather baseline data on pupil activity levels, incidents, and engagement Consult with pupils, staff, and parents to inform design and priorities Milestone 2 – Design and Approvals Finalise an environment-led playground design (grassed surface and layout) Secure internal approvals from senior leaders and governors Confirm compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and local authority requirements Phase 2: Resourcing and Procurement Milestone 3 – Funding Secured Secure grant funding and/or internal capital allocation Confirm budget, timelines, and reporting requirements Milestone 4 – Contractor Appointment and Scheduling Appoint contractors or suppliers in line with procurement guidance Agree delivery schedule to minimise disruption to pupils Conduct pre-works risk assessments and site preparation Phase 3: Delivery and Implementation Milestone 5 – Site Preparation and Redevelopment Remove or make safe existing tarmac and trip hazards Prepare ground and install grassed surface Complete quality and safety checks prior to reopening Milestone 6 – Staff Briefing and Operational Launch Brief staff on safe use, supervision, and planned activities Launch the redeveloped playground for structured and unstructured use Phase 4: Monitoring and Embedding Milestone 7 – Initial Evaluation (0–3 months post-launch) Monitor usage, pupil engagement, and minor injury incidents Gather staff and pupil feedback Make small adjustments to supervision or use where needed Milestone 8 – Embedding into Practice (3–12 months) Integrate the space into PE, playtime routines, and wellbeing activities Embed maintenance into site management plans Share early outcomes with stakeholders and funders Phase 5: Growth and Scaling Milestone 9 – Impact Review and Learning Capture Review longer-term impact on activity levels, behaviour, and wellbeing Capture learning, case studies, and practical guidance Milestone 10 – Scaling and Replication Explore expansion to additional outdoor areas within the school Share the model with local authority partners and school networks Identify opportunities for wider rollout or community use
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details.
Netball Court - Autumn Green Matchwinner with lines, overlaying tarmac to falls provided currently P-GP-10001 £11,600.00 Playturf overlaying tarmac to falls provided currently P-GP-10002 £12,600.00 Basketball Court - Blue Matchwinner with lines, overlaying tarmac to falls provided currently P-GP-10003 £9,500.00 2 Adjustable Basketball Post P-SPO-GEBS-ABP £4,600.00 Site Set Up, Delivery and ULEZ Charges P-GP-10004 £1,250.00 Resurfacing Projects Total £39,550.00 School will fundraise and use saved funds to contribute to the payment.
