Hello all
What is your current play practice in school? Does you school train playtime supervisors? Would you like to change childrens play experience at school?
This free resource is for anyone who has an interest in children’s wellbeing at school although it has been designed to be particularly relevant to support staff. It explores how outdoor play in schools supports children’s learning and development, identifies a range of ideas for enriching play and shares practical advice from schools that have developed good play practice.
Each of the 11 sections is accompanied by short notes, discussion questions and links to further useful resources. We strongly suggest that you use this resource together with colleagues to encourage discussion and planning about how you take some of these ideas forward in your school.
The support booklet can be downloaded for free here (you do have to sign up, but I only send you an email with useful stuff, and only about once per term). http://www.ltl.org.uk/learning/PlaytimeRevolution
The video’s are currently on Youtube – but are about to be on Education Scotland, or I can dropbox a copy of them all to anyone with an authority that blocks Youtube.
Playtime Revolution – Introduction – The Value of Play (01)
Many of you know that there is a new Scottish strategy on play, and this training series fits in with the aspiration to see play transformed in schools across Scotland.
If any of you use this resource, I would be really interested to hear how you get on.
Thanks all
Matt
Outdoor Learning Officer
Grounds for Learning
mrobinson@ltl.org.uk
I’d like to back up Matt’s blog post by saying, the resources are great. AND there’s more advice and free resources out there…
1) The Good School Playground Guide is a free download (if you are member of GfL, cost £14 and great value) http://www.ltl.org.uk/resources/results.php?id=712 This is one of the best playground advice books I’ve seen in years.
2) The Play Strategy for Scotland ACTION PLAN was launched yesterday. There is a schools section regarding play in all sectors including secondary schools. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/10/9424 This references the Good Playground Guide and the need for children and young people to be able to access daily free play outdoors
3) The updated “Managing Risk in Play Provision” document was launched today. This document is supported by HSE and other organisations interested in children’s safety about taking a proportionate and balanced approach to risk in children’s play. As the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states, it’s about making play “as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.” http://www.playengland.org.uk/media/172644/managing-risk-in-play-provision.pdf
For further information and advice, then Grounds for Learning, Creative STAR, the Smart Play Network and Play Scotland are several which are happy to help. It’s about play. It’s about time!
Can I add that Supporter member is free: and so the Good School Playground Guide is too! If anyone wants a hard copy to leave on the Heads desk, or on the staffroom coffee table, please drop me an email and I can send you one…
Matt