A School Playground in Need of Attention

For many children, the playground is the heart of their school day – a space to socialise, play, and let their imaginations run free. However, at Melbourne Primary School the main access route to the playground had become a hazard. Large tree roots had lifted the paving, creating uneven surfaces that risked trips and falls. Beyond the obvious safety concerns, the area had also become difficult to maintain and unattractive, reducing the quality of this vital space for pupils.

The school asked for support to address the issue, and our team was more than willing to step in. With the combined efforts of Howard Civil Engineering and Wates Group, we were able to deliver the improvements as part of our ongoing commitment to social value.

The Work We Carried Out

Over the course of four days, a dedicated team of six operatives from Howard Civil Engineering contributed their time, skills, and energy to transform the playground access. Together, they volunteered more than 100 hours, equating to approximately £2,900 in labour, materials, and equipment. Wates Group also made a substantial contribution with the supply of a range of materials required for the work.

The scope of work included the lifting the existing paving and removing tree roots to eliminate the cause of the uneven ground and resetting of ground levels to ensure the new surface would be both safe and durable. We also installed new flags with a block paving border – giving the area a clean, professional finish – and cut back and re-laid tarmac where needed, improving the overall appearance and usability of the playground. Finally, we replaced the old, uneven dish channels with new drainage channels to prevent standing water and reduce maintenance needs.

This combination of improvements has not only created a safer and more accessible environment for pupils and staff but also ensures that the school can enjoy a long-lasting solution.

Recognising Our Team

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Howard Civil Engineering operatives who gave their time and expertise to this project:

• Andrew Docherty (Foreman)
• Calumn Wright (Supervisor/Machine Operator)
• Luke Docherty (Groundworker)
• Damian Mclean (Groundworker/Machine Operator)
• Josh Jordan (Groundworker)
• Steve Culey (Site Manager)

Their hard work, teamwork, and dedication are a credit to the company and demonstrate how construction skills can be used to benefit the wider community.

Appreciation from the School

The positive feedback from Melbourne Primary School highlighted just how meaningful these improvements are:

“On behalf of the Trust and the School, I just want to say a huge thank you for the recent work carried out at Melbourne Primary School. Please pass on my thanks to the team who carried out the work, they have done an amazing job! The work carried out is beyond our expectations and has created a safe and usable space for our pupils.”

Hearing words like these reinforces the importance of our social value programme and reminds us that even small projects can have a big impact on the lives of others.

Building Social Value Together

This project is another example of how collaboration can deliver real benefits for local communities. By working alongside Wates Group, we were able to combine resources and expertise to make a meaningful difference for Melbourne Primary School and its pupils.

Howard Civil Engineering are committed to continuing this work, ensuring that we leave a lasting, positive legacy wherever we operate. Whether it’s through essential infrastructure projects or community-focused initiatives like this one, we are proud to support the growth, safety, and wellbeing of the people around us.