Alison Motion - The Good School Playground Guide

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