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Project Overview
Client
Didsbury Road Primary School
Location
Manchester
Date Complete
2026
Sector
Education
Background
Didsbury Road Primary School is a thriving two form entry school located in Stockport, within the wider Greater Manchester area. The school educates around 460 pupils from Nursery through to Year 6 and is well known locally for its strong community ethos and commitment to inclusive education.
The school benefits from extensive grounds which play a significant role in day to day learning and development. These include two playgrounds, a large playing field, and a popular forest school area that supports outdoor learning, exploration, and personal development. At Didsbury Road Primary School, creating a safe and welcoming environment is central to everything they do. Alongside a broad and balanced curriculum, outdoor spaces are carefully designed to offer rich learning experiences while maintaining high safeguarding standards.
Our relationship with the school began in 2022 when they first approached us for professional school fencing installation in Manchester. Since then, we have worked closely with the school across multiple phases of improvement, becoming a trusted, repeat contractor with a clear understanding of their site, values, and long term objectives.
The Initial Project
The first phase of work in 2022 focused on upgrading perimeter security to better protect pupils, staff, and school property. The school required a robust, long lasting fencing system that would deter unauthorised access while remaining appropriate for a primary school setting and complying with the Department for Education site security guidance.
We supplied and installed 147 metres of 2 metre high EuroGuard Regular V mesh security fencing, along with a 3 metre wide vehicle access gate. This system was chosen for its strength, open visibility, and proven performance in educational environments. The new fencing significantly improved site security, while the associated gate provided controlled access for deliveries and maintenance vehicles.
The successful delivery of this project laid the foundation for a continuing partnership, giving the school confidence in both the quality of the products and the professionalism of the installation process.
Challenge
By 2025, the school identified further areas within their grounds where fencing no longer met their safety or practical requirements. Several sections of the site were still bordered by ageing timber fencing, including areas constructed using chestnut fencing.
Chestnut fencing was commonly used in forest school environments due to its rustic, natural appearance. While it complements outdoor learning spaces, it can present challenges in a busy primary school setting. Over time, the timber pales may become rough and prone to splintering, increasing the risk of minor injuries and making it less suitable for younger children. The natural spacing between the pales can also create potential entrapment hazards.
In addition, the existing fencing offered limited clarity around boundaries. With such expansive grounds, it was increasingly important for staff to be able to clearly define safe play zones and learning areas, particularly for Nursery and Key Stage 1 pupils.
The school needed a replacement fencing solution that would prioritise child safety, require minimal ongoing maintenance and still complement the character of the outdoor environment. Importantly, the fencing needed to clearly mark boundaries without making the space feel restrictive or industrial.
Solution
The second phase of school fencing installation focused on replacing 95 metres of timber and chestnut fencing with modern tubular steel anti trap bow top fencing.
A 1 metre high anti trap bow top fencing system was selected as the most appropriate solution. This style of fencing is widely recognised as one of the safest options for schools and early years settings, offering a balance of protection, visibility, and child friendly design.
The fencing system provided multiple key benefits:
To enhance the appearance of the fencing around the reception area and align with the school’s positive, engaging ethos, each panel was powder coated in a different bright colour. The finished installation featured a sequence of orange, red, blue, and yellow powder coated panels, creating a cheerful and inviting contrast against the natural surroundings.
The use of colour is particularly effective in primary schools. Bright fencing helps younger children visually understand boundaries, supports spatial awareness, and reinforces safe areas without the need for excessive signage. It also contributes to a vibrant outdoor environment that feels playful and imaginative.
For the boundary around the forest school and playing field, a green RAL 6005 was chosen to enable it to blend with the natural hedging and planting.
Anti-Trap Bow Top fencing, although made of steel, is extremely wildlife friendly. Its open pale design allows foliage to grow through the gaps, while the spacing beneath the bottom rail ensures small mammals such as hedgehogs can pass through and, more importantly, do not get stuck in the fence, which is a common issue with mesh fencing.
The Result
The completed installation has transformed the affected areas of the school grounds. The new steel fencing provides a clearly defined boundary that helps keep children safely within designated areas, while still allowing clear sight lines across the site. Staff can now manage outdoor activities more effectively, confident that the fencing supports both safeguarding and supervision.
The replacement of timber fencing with a galvanised and powder coated fencing solution has also delivered long term value. Maintenance demands have been significantly reduced, eliminating the need for regular repairs, treatments, or replacement due to weathering or wear. With its 25 year Service Life Guarantee, it delivers excellent long term value.
From a visual perspective, the colourful bow top fencing has been extremely well received. It adds a modern, uplifting element to the outdoor space while working harmoniously alongside natural features and forest school areas.
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