Priorswood Playday

Priorswood Primary School in Taunton bravely volunteered to host a play day, at very short notice, on November 21st 2007. The play day provided information for Somerset Play Forum in preparation for our conference on 7th december 2007 (Playing to Achieve; Putting More FIZZ into Learning).

The day was a huge success - all the children had a great time, there were no arguments and staff and children played happily.

Some follow-up work will be carried out to try to implement some of the activities during break times.

While researching information and speakers for the conference we came across some work carried out by London Play and Culvers House Primary School, Mitcham. With the help of London Play, Culvers House School ran a playday in 2006 with the aim of improving behaviour at break and lunchtimes.

The day was so successful that it was repeated in 2007. We decided that it would be relevant to hold such a day in Somerset and as well as helping a school to play for the day we would be able to gather some data from the children and young people about their experiences of play during break times and hopefully give ideas of activities that could be available for break times.

Priorswood School caters for children aged 4 to 11 years and has approximately 115 children on roll. The school already provides some equipment for break times and uses KS2 pupils as play leaders. Lunchtime Supervisors have had some play training.

Priorswood School are planning mini playdays for the future to keep encouraging children and staff to play freely together, build positive realtionships and encourage children to explore free play. Support materials for school play days are currently under development. Please contact us for more information.