The Good School Playground Guide
“You can't teach young people about risk from a text book - they need some practical experience. That's why cosseting children and seeking to remove all risk from their experiences ultimately leaves them ill equipped for adult and working life. “
“We should not deny them the opportunity to learn by taking risks. Seeking to protect them from every conceivable hazard, rather than sensibly managing the genuine risks they face, ultimately leaves them in harm's way, not to mention robbing them of memories that last a lifetime. “
Judith Hackitt, Chair of HSE
School grounds are particularly important!
• Available to all
• Regular access
• Time
• Accessible – eliminates travel time and costs
• Fostering ownership and responsibility
• Community links
Be creative and imaginative
Encourage physical activity
and develop physical skills
Connect with nature
Teacher-free learning
Improves behaviour
Reducing boredom Positive emotional wellbeing
“Outdoors is often a better place to learn than indoors.”
CfE guidance
and .....
Fewer than 10% of children now play regularly in natural spaces
Contact with nature has halved in a generation
What does it look like?
Varied topography
Big sand
Logs & boulders
Water play
Hiding spaces
Reduced mowing
Risk & challenge
Loose materials
Loose materials
Bespoke rather than catalogue
Scottish Government Project
30 schools in 8 Local Authorities over three years
Capital plus whole school support
Case studies, exemplar schools, champion head teachers.
Free ‘toolkit’ type resource for all schools.
Strong school support
School management processes
Parental engagement
Risk Benefit Assessments
Support Staff training
Troubleshooting – for example mud, rain, mixed aged play
A friendly shoulder!
Play design expertise
An overview of good practice
Forwarded by Sir Harry Burns
Endorsed by wide range of partners
Grounds for Learning is the operational name of Learning through Landscapes in Scotland
support
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