More Than a Playground
We are creating a dynamic space where our boys can grow, explore, and play. Be a part of it.
Space is always at a premium for inner-city schools, but our new playground plans will completely transform the outdoor environment at William Ellis. Together with the William Ellis Trust and the William Ellis School Parents’ Association (WESPA), the school is raising funds to redevelop the current playground into a greener, safer and more inspiring space for students.
Large capital projects rely on the collective strength of a community, and the More Than a Playground campaign is a powerful example of this. Working closely with students, families, alumni and supporters, we are shaping a shared vision for what our outdoor area can become — and securing the investment needed to make that vision a reality. This ambitious project will turn concrete into creativity, providing essential outdoor facilities where pupils can exercise, socialise and develop vital life skills.
William Ellis is more than a school — it is a valued community asset. The site already hosts important local activities, including youth programmes and the much-loved Parliament Hill farmers’ market. A redeveloped playground will enhance this shared resource with improved facilities that can also be made available for hire, enabling a wider range of services and community events.
As part of our planning, we would be hugely grateful if you could take five to ten minutes to complete our community engagement survey, which will help shape the redevelopment and build wider support. You can find this here
By supporting More Than a Playground, you are investing not only in the wellbeing and development of current and future pupils, but also in a lasting legacy for the entire community.
Join us in bringing this vision to life. You can see the Stage One designs for the project here — and we are pleased to share that the preferred option among our community is Option One
.
Involving the Pupils
The new playground is first and foremost a resource for our pupils. Current William Ellis students have been consulted on the new designs, taking part in a number of facilitated conversations with our chosen architects.
Their feedback sits at the heart of designs for the redevelopment, with a few key points being raised throughout the consultations.
They would like to see:
A greater variety of spaces to be created within the outdoor spaces in the school to facilitate different interests
To be able to host other schools in sporting fixtures and show off their school - leading to the creation of a multi-use sports pitch that is suitable for this.
Our fundraiser
In order to realise this vision and build the playground pupils deserve we have an ambitious fundraising target to achieve over the next eighteen months.
The planned works are estimated to cost £690-820,000 prior to contractors being appointed.
The William Ellis Trust have committed a £200,000 contribution to the work from its core funds - meaning we are already around 25% of the way to our target at the start of the new academic year.
If you would like to make a one-off or recurring donation to help us reach our ambitious goal and deliver this vision you can do so on our dedicated page on the Charities Aid Foundation website.
How we plan to achieve our target:
The William Ellis Fundraising Committee which consists of staff, governors, parents and the William Ellis Trust are planning a multi-pronged campaign seeking to raise the required funds from our supporters including:
Individual donations from parents, alumni and other supporters
Student and Community led fundraisers
Funding from charitable Trusts and Foundations
Support from local businesses
Match funding campaigns
Supporting the Fundraiser
Raising the required funds to deliver the school’s vision for its outdoor spaces will be a collaborative effort - and we would love for you to be a part of this journey to success.
Please visit our page dedicated to supporting the fundraiser and how others get involved. Please reach out to us if you have any ideas you would like to discuss, or introductions you would like to make to others with an interest in the organisation.
We look forward to working with you.
Become a Key Player
In order to help secure the funds for the redevelopment we are inviting you or your organisation to join the team as a key player. All who join the team, and wish to be featured, will have their names added to a commemorative display within the new playground to thank you for your support.
