Playground Games for Portway Juniors and Stannah

Ninety three Year 5 pupils at Portway Junior School in Andover have been inspired by a team from Stannah.

Following on from last years successful technology project, Jacqui Turley,Training & Development Manager at Stannah put together a two-day programme as part of Portway Junior’s Science and Engineering Week.

Year 5 Manager, Dave Ireland, explains:
‘This is the second year that our friends from Stannah have worked with us to deliver something challenging. Last year we produced a recycling truck which was brilliant. This year we wanted to produce something that is shared and visible by the whole school. The 2010 project is inspired.’

This year’s project challenged the children to design puzzles and games for their playground. Up to four winning designs will be produced in magnetic steel at the Stannah factory and enjoyed by everyone.

The children worked in two large groups, each having a day designing and producing a prototype of their game and a second day considering the marketing of their product. Each sub-group of four or five children enjoyed the support of a Stannah member of staff to assist during the project.

The Year 5 pupils had prepared well for the two day project by working with their teachers, Dave Ireland, Sarah Nash-Steer and Wendy Davis to prepare a portfolio of work to present the concept of their game. All the games were based on ecological themes so there was much creation of ladybirds, bees, hedgehogs, birds, ponds and habitats, resulting in an array of colourful and educational games.

Jacqui Turley from Stannah was delighted with the success of the project. ‘I’m not sure who enjoyed the sessions more, the children or our staff!’  Everyone was on task and there was a real buzz about the place. It will be a tough judging task. We will be returning to the school on 9th April to announce winners in several categories and then the overall winning game will be the first to be manufactured in our factory at Watt Close by Stannah and the winning Portway team.’

Joint Managing Director of Stannah Stairlifts, Tim Eagles, popped in to the project to join in with all the excitement. He was eager to explain why Stannah liked to make a difference in the community: ‘We feel it’s very important to support the community around us. We are delighted to be forming a special relationship with Portway Juniors. It benefits both parties and really educates us both about the needs of the community. Everyone is looking forward to turning some of these fantastic designs into lasting games for the playground. Who knows, perhaps in the future some of these youngsters may consider a career with Stannah.’

Stannah volunteers

Wednesday 17th March: Shell Penn, Vicky Gregory, Elliott Grocott, Toi Winterbottom, Kamil Koziel, Max Woodhams, Lee McGee, Mark Owen, Colin Galvin, Julia Gilbank, Konrad Higgins and Kevin Smith

Thursday 18th March: Linda Halpin, Steve Williams, Caroline Quinn, Andy Cardy, Paul White, Martin Cox, Karl Richardson, Gary Deamer, Mick Bennett, Keith Mander,Simon Long and Michelle Burgess