Benton Dene Primary School

Playtime provision

It has long been recognised that play is fundamental to a child’s health, happiness, development and well being. As children spend a significant proportion of their time engaged in play at Benton Dene, we have led staff to reflect upon how playtimes can be enhanced to support the health and well-being of our pupils. Our intent as a school is to provide children with opportunities for quality play outdoors that they may not otherwise experience outside of school and to also provide experiences to support their becoming successful learners and confident individuals.

We have refined our playtime provision and approach to outdoor areas, working with the school and local community to develop our provision and transform the spaces we have. Our school grounds are impressive with traditional yards, multi-use games areas, a large field, trim trail, climbing equipment and a variety of other areas. We are continuing to provide children with a variety of new areas, including mud kitchens, water play, calm sheds, reading opportunities and den building areas.

Within KS1 and KS2, we have now introduced a play champions scheme, where a select group of children work closely with our play team to help improve areas. The children have come up with some fantastic ideas, including the types of play equipment they would like, having a dance/gymnastics area and providing calm spaces for children that prefer more quiet times during their play.

From physical activities such as playing with tyres and digging in the sand pit or constructing, enjoying imaginative play in the small world area or cooking up a storm in the mud kitchen; our outdoor provision offers an exciting alternative to the standard playground activities. Children are not only more active at lunch or break times, but they are also having the opportunity to further develop life skills such as cooperation, team work and problem solving. They are becoming motivated and enthusiastic builders, engineers, explorers and designers.

Benefits of play provision

‘Play is great for children’s well-being and development. When planning and providing play opportunities, the goal is not to eliminate risk, but to weigh up the risks and benefits. No child will learn about risk if they are wrapped in cotton wool.’ Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implementation guide is published for Play England 2012.

Further benefits of a planned play provision include:

Accidents– schools have up to 80% less reported accidents
Teachers - consistently report improved focus during teaching time in afternoon lessons
Self-regulation- children in learn to self regulate through practice, trust and freedom
Physical activity- children are significantly more active
Mental well-being- children are happier and self-reporting improved mental health
Social and emotional development- Good play in the laboratory of life where relationships are practised
Links to formal learning- increased creativity, imagination and collaborative skills
Rights- Play is a child's right as recognised by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
OFSTED- evidence on approach to wellbeing and inclusion
Behaviour - a clear improvement of behaviour within school.