Hepworth J&I School Restores Outdoor Learning with a New Plaswood Boardwalk

Executive Summary

Hepworth J&I School needed to replace an ageing timber boardwalk surrounding its wildlife pond after decades of exposure to damp conditions had caused sections to deteriorate and become unsafe for pupils.

The school wanted a long-lasting alternative that aligned with its environmental values while providing a safe and practical outdoor learning environment for future generations.

Working with Plaswood, the school replaced the existing timber structure with a recycled plastic boardwalk designed for permanently damp environments. The completed installation has restored access to the woodland area, supports the school's Forest School activities and provides a low-maintenance solution expected to serve the school for many years.

• Client: Hepworth J&I School
• Sector: Education
• Application: Wildlife Pond Boardwalk
• Products Used: Lumber, Boardwalks, post and rail fencing (Link these to related product pages)
• Location: West Yorkshire

The Challenge

The existing timber boardwalk had been in place for many years and was constructed around the school's wildlife pond, where the posts remained in water and the supporting structure sat in permanently damp conditions.

Although repairs had been carried out over the years, including replacing posts and patching damaged sections, the timber had deteriorated to the point where the structure was no longer considered safe for pupils. The original deck had also relied on chicken wire to improve grip, which created additional safety concerns when it became damaged.

The school had spent several years fundraising to replace the boardwalk and obtained quotations from local contractors before selecting the most appropriate solution. The new structure needed to provide:

• A safe environment for pupils.
• Excellent performance in permanently wet conditions.
• Long service life with minimal maintenance.
• A solution that reflected the school's environmental values.
• A natural appearance within the woodland setting.

The Results

The completed boardwalk has transformed access to the school's woodland learning area, allowing pupils to enjoy the wildlife pond once again.

The project has restored an important educational space while providing the school with a durable, low-maintenance structure that complements the natural surroundings.

The Headteacher commented:

The decking around our wildlife pond had been in place for around 25/30 years and was starting to rot in places. We had patched it in places and replaced a couple of posts. It had now become dangerous and needed completely replacing to make it safe and usable again. Our woodland is now an essential element to our school curriculum and to our thriving forest school.

We had fundraised over the past couple of years to be able to afford to replace the decking, had gained three quotes from local tradesmen and were ready to decide on which materials to use and company to use.

We chose plaswood because the posts sit in water and the frame sits on mud with the whole structure usually in a damp environment. We wanted something that would last a long time and wouldn't rot. We are an eco-school and wanted to use a material that used recycled materials - this fitted with our school ethos and provides a practical example to pupils of the value of recycling. Pupils have been involved in the project from day 1 and their money has been used to pay for the resources. They have bought into the sustainability of it.

The materials look good in our woodland setting. They aren't as slippy as previous timber structures and have helped create a safer surface for our pupils to walk on without the risk of sharp, jagged edges. On our previous wooden structure we had chicken wire to stop slipping, which was dangerous when it ripped.

The finished project looks fantastic. It appears sturdy and fits with our woodland. I believe it will last for many years and will require significantly less maintenance than timber, something which is vital on a school budget. It is a great looking product. Nice to see that it is possible to bend it around some corners too and that there is some give in the posts and boards.

The restored pond area is once again being used as part of the school's Forest School programme, with staff reporting increased wildlife activity following the pond improvement.

Specifications panel

• Material: Plaswood recycled plastic
• Colour: Brown
• Installation environment: Permanently wet
• Maintenance requirements: Periodic cleaning, periodic inspection (low maintenance)
• Expected service life: Long service life

Key Takeaways

• Recycled plastic boardwalks provide a durable alternative to timber in permanently wet environments.
• Low-maintenance materials can help schools reduce future maintenance demands and associated costs.
• Products manufactured using recycled plastic can support the sustainability objectives of schools while delivering long-term technical performance.
• Safe, durable infrastructure helps restore valuable outdoor learning environments for future generations.
• Plaswood's ability to accommodate curved layouts makes it suitable for wildlife ponds, wetlands and similar landscape applications.

Looking to replace a timber boardwalk?

Whether you're upgrading a school wildlife area, public park, nature reserve or other outdoor learning environment, Plaswood recycled plastic boardwalk systems provide a durable, low-maintenance solution designed for demanding outdoor conditions.

Contact the Plaswood team to discuss your next boardwalk project. 

Contact Plaswood