Parcroft and West Coker Schools go out for Play

In the spring term 2008, Parcroft and West Coker Schools in Somerset were supported by Somerset Children's Fund and a local charity for families Time Out Together to each run a whole school play day. West Coker caters for ages 5 to 11 and Parcroft ages 7-11. Parcroft has 281 pupils on roll and is situated in one of the main towns in Somerset. West Coker have 76 pupils on roll and are situated in a small village outside of Yeovil.

“Terrific fun! Most children got a huge amount from it, Realise we really need to do this more often” (West Coker staff member)

Both schools followed similar planning for their days with outdoor activity zones (sport, craft and mess) in the morning that the children visited for 3/4 hour each in groups that were a mix from all the year groups at the school.

“Weird and wonderful” (West Coker pupil)

The sports zone was very popular with the older children and included a bouncy castle, inflatable tunnels, mini skate ramps and the PE supplies that ranged from ball games and footballs to hoops and bean bags. The craft area was well supplied with cardboard boxes and scrap materials, scissors, sticky tape and decorative materials thus allowing the children's imaginations to run wild. The messy zone was by far the favourite for everyone. Water, sand, mud, gloop, bubbles, shaving foam, paint, dough and jelly was spread, moulded, splattered and worn by everyone by the end of the morning.

“Our favourite morning activities were messy play and model making” (Parcroft school pupil)

“I enjoyed all of it, I didn’t realise I could have so much fun with my mates” (Parcroft school pupil)

During the afternoon the school building was also open with a wide range of activities on offer. As many classrooms as possible were available for the children to freely circulate as well as still using the outdoor spaces. Free play opportunities included dressing up, construction, painting, card making, music and much much more was on offer. The Time Out Together Streetwise bus was parked in the playground and the soft play upstairs and the multi sensory area downstairs were made available. Children enjoyed chalking on the playground and their own imaginary games outside.

Both days were a huge success with 100% positive feedback from pupils and staff alike. A DVD of the day held at Parcroft is available from Somerset Play Forum at a cost of £3 (to cover copying and postage).

“It’s been great. We weren’t aware of the talent and capabilities of the children. They just got on it was great fun” (Parcroft school staff member)

“We really liked the way the adults joined in and had fun too” (Parcroft School pupil)