A new long jump facility for St Helen’s School, Middlesex

Providing education to some 1,100 girls aged 3-18, St Helen's School is undergoing significant development; with the construction of a new Junior School in the middle of the site. This has led to a re-organisation of summer athletics facilities located within the construction zone. Rather than replace like with like, the school saw the opportunity to create a new, bespoke synthetic facility to cater for both long and triple jump.

The school specified a high-quality facility which was to be delivered within tight time constraints. total-play's combination of experience in constructing synthetic track & field facilities, competitive pricing and ability to work within the tight timeframe saw it win the contract, with work commencing on the 3-week project in March 2016.

The site itself presented something of a challenge; adjacent to an existing tennis court and an access road, with high ground on both sides. This saw total-play's team undertake significant earthworks to create suitable levels, with the construction of a retaining feature behind the new landing pit.

In terms of specification, the run-up was constructed using a polymeric synthetic surface with the sand landing area surrounded by rubber-topped safety kerbs. For a low maintenance finish, a large leisure grass surround completed the facility, which is now ready for a busy summer of use at this thriving school.

Estates Manager, Alison Steele, says: "This was a project that demanded the delivery of a high-quality facility within a rigid time frame and total-play's approach impressed from the outset. Not only could they deliver within the timescales but the proposed specification - with finishes such as the polymeric surface on the run-up - met our brief. We also liked the fact that they could handle the entire project, from design through groundworks to construction, in house.

"The end result is fantastic. The PE staff and girls have a first class long jump facility and we'd happily recommend total-play to schools looking to undertake similar projects. The team who installed the long jump were excellent; their work was of a high quality and they met the deadlines."

For more details on total-play Ltd's range of design and construction services, for both non-turf and natural sports facilities, visit www.total-play.co.uk