Academic Facilities Services

30/04/2026

At Academic Facilities Services, we know that when a community wants a new play space, they don’t want to wait weeks for it to happen. That’s why we’re thrilled to showcase our latest project at the Beach Road Play Park.

In just four hours, our team transformed an empty space into a vibrant, multi-use play unit. It was a bit like a magic trick - one minute there’s a clearing, and "p**f!" - a brand-new piece of equipment for climbing, sliding and imaginative play is ready for action...

30/04/2026

If you’ve taken a stroll through Stanhope Park in Holsworthy this week, you might have noticed things looking a little brighter. We are delighted to announce that the Academic Facilities Services team has been hard at work installing a brand-new rubber safety surface in the play area...

​If you’ve taken a stroll through Stanhope Park in Holsworthy this week, you might have noticed things looking a little brighter. We are delighted to announce that the Academic Facilities Services team has been hard at work installing a brand-new rubber safety surface in the play area.​While t...

22/04/2026

It’s been a busy - and somewhat bittersweet - week so far for our team down in Cornwall. We’ve been visiting several primary schools to remove outdoor gym equipment. We know the kids love these pieces of equipment, and it’s always sad to take things away from a playground, but safety has to come first.

The Facts: Many of these items were sold as being suitable for children, but they actually only comply with BS EN 16630. This is a safety standard specifically for users over 1.4m tall (adults and older teens).

When primary-aged children use equipment designed for adults, it poses a real risk of injury and entrapment. As much as we hate to see empty spaces in the playground, we refuse to compromise on the physical safety of students.

We’re now working with these schools to find better, fully compliant alternatives that the kids can enjoy safely!

At Academic Facilities Services, our mission is to create environments where children can thrive, learn and - most importantly - stay safe. Sometimes, fulfilling that mission means making difficult decisions.This week, our teams have been working across several primary schools in Cornwall to decommi...

23/03/2026

Project Complete: Millbrook Tractor Park Revamp! 🚜

​Our team has been busy down on the Rame Peninsula, giving the iconic tractor park a serious "service" for Millbrook Parish Council - Cornwall! ​We love working on unique structures like this one. To make sure it stays in top gear for the local community, we’ve carried out a full range of specialist repairs, including new roofs for the play towers, a new access ramp and various safety tune-ups and minor repairs to ensure everything is compliant and sturdy.

​At AFS, we’re passionate about helping councils across the South West keep their play spaces safe, sustainable and ready for action. ​Thank you to the Millbrook community for the warm welcome while we were on-site. The park is officially re-opened and ready for play!

https://www.afsplaygrounds.co.uk/post/afs-restores-playground-equipment-in-millbrook-s-tractor-play-park

23/02/2026

Coastal weather is notoriously tough on outdoor equipment. Over time, even the sturdiest playground timbers can succumb to decay.

Last week, our team went to Mount Hawke Academy and Cusgarne Primary School in Truro to undertake repairs to their trim trails.

They identified and removed compromised timber sections; installed high-grade, pressure-treated replacements; and ensured all structural fixings were secure and met current safety regulations.

Now the students can get back to testing their balance and agility on a trail that looks - and feels - brand new.

https://www.afsplaygrounds.co.uk/post/afs-undertakes-repairs-to-primary-school-trim-trails-in-cornwall

20/02/2026

Out with the old, in with the new! We’ve been installing fresh basketball backboards at King Edward VI Community College in Totnes! 🏀🙌

​From remedial repairs to full installations, we’re proud to support schools and colleges in providing the best environments for their students.

​Does your school equipment need a refresh? Drop us a message or visit our website to see how we can help!

Old, weathered basketball backboards aren't just an eyesore; they can become a safety hazard and significantly affect the quality of play. This week, we’ve been busy replacing ageing boards with modern, high-impact alternatives.​Whether it's a standard layup or a competitive match, King Edward V...

23/12/2025

🎄 Season’s Greetings from Academic Facilities Services! 🎄
​As we wrap up another year, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to all our clients. Thank you for your continued trust and support throughout 2025. It has been a privilege helping you maintain and enhance your sports and playground environments.
​We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a restful New Year! We look forward to another year of successful collaboration and keeping your facilities at their best in 2026. 🏫✨

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05/12/2025

We're delighted to showcase a recent installation for our client, Tintagel Primary School & Nursery. AFS supplied and installed this robust freestanding play equipment, crafted from premium play-grade timber. This structure is built to last, ensuring years of enthusiastic play!

We are pleased to announce the successful supply and installation of bespoke freestanding timber play equipment at Tintagel Nursery.The specific challenge for nursery environments is the need for highly durable structures that can withstand constant use while adhering to strict safety regulations. O...

21/11/2025

At AFS, we know that when it comes to playgrounds, safety is non-negotiable.

❌ DON'T use generic store-bought bolts.
✅ INSIST on specialised, corrosion-resistant fixings designed to withstand heavy use and tampering!
👷‍♂️ ALWAYS use qualified, certified installers.

Our team are trained in specific safety standards (like fall heights and critical clearances) to ensure every component is torqued correctly and assembled for maximum longevity and child protection. A proper installation prevents structural failures and dangerous snagging hazards.

Keep your kids safe and their playgrounds durable. Invest in quality fixings and qualified expertise.

Playgrounds are places of joy, laughter and adventure. They are essential spaces where children develop motor skills, confidence and social abilities. But behind the fun lies a serious responsibility: safety.When you're installing new playground equipment or repairing an existing structure, the deta...

14/11/2025

We are delighted to share the news that we’ve installed a fantastic new basket swing at Chilsworthy Play Park! This super-fun swing is now officially open and ready for kids of all ages to enjoy together!

A big thank you to our team who battled through the wet conditions to get this done! (Yes, it got a bit muddy during installation! 🙈) Please wear sensible footwear if you visit this weekend while the ground settles near the base of the swing.

We're proud to support our local community and provide safe, high-quality play facilities.

We are delighted to announce the successful installation of a new basket swing at Chilsworthy Play Park. This exciting addition is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing local community facilities and providing safe, accessible and fun play equipment for all ages and abilities.Unlike traditiona...