Two primary schools have won awards for helping children to learn through play in a new initiative piloted by the Council.
Paulton Junior School, near Midsomer Norton, achieved a platinum award and Cameley Primary School, in Chew Valley, achieved silver in the Council’s Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) scheme, which supports children’s access to free play.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has been working with the schools and encouraging them to develop play opportunities through mentoring and self-evaluation.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “Paulton Junior School Cameley Primary School have done an amazing amount to enhance play and help the pupils to develop important life skills. The staff and head teachers have worked together with the children to make changes with the support of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
“Research shows that children’s enjoyment of schools increases when they have a good experience of play. They get lots of physical outdoor activity, come back into class ready to learn and have time to build important friendships. Play at schools is all the more important as many children do not get out to play every day at home – sometimes due to homework, indoor entertainment or, at this time of year, the darker evenings.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Outdoor Play and Learning scheme has brought school staff, parents and pupils together to work on initiatives which give children important chances to learn through play as well as in the classroom.
Matt Grovesnor, head teacher of Paulton Junior School, said: “Gaining the Platinum OPAL Award has been a hugely rewarding experience for everyone involved in this amazing project. The children and staff have been delighted by the process with the ultimate goal being better playtimes for all.
“To see the children playing in a much more creative and imaginative way using scrap materials to help and inspire is brilliant. I am so pleased that our playtimes are so enjoyable for the children and that they can really explore new ideas and new situations to develop their play experiences. I must thank our staff team, especially the school meals supervisory assistants and Miss Smart and Mrs Chapman for their boundless enthusiasm to make sure that every child at Paulton Junior School has a happy and productive playtime.”
Dieter Cook, head teacher of Cameley Primary School, said: “After many months of hard work and dedication to the Outdoor Play and Learning scheme, we’re very pleased to have achieved a silver award. Play is very firmly on the School Development Plan at Cameley and through the process the school has developed a Play Policy, as well as ways for pupils to comment on playtimes and add their ideas for improvements, and we also plan to continue developing play well into the future.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council has worked with a high number of schools across the district to develop creative and innovative ways to improve children’s play opportunities. Due to the success of the pilot, the Council plans to run the Outdoor Play and Learning scheme in three more schools next year.
