Outdoor Play and Learning
Flourishing through play
At SJSC we understand the value of play as integral to a child’s development. Our approach to play enables all to flourish and develop our school values.
Children need opportunities to play that allow them to explore, manipulate, experience and affect their environment. Play provision should be welcoming and accessible to every child, enabling their growth and to experience joy and wonder.
We implement the OPAL Primary Programme, whose rationale states:
“… better, more active and creative playtimes can mean happier and healthier children, and having happier, healthier, more active children usually results in a more positive attitude to learning in school, with more effective classroom lessons, less staff time spent resolving unnecessary behavioural problems, fewer playtime accidents, happier staff and a healthier attitude to life.”
Click the video below to see a typical day in the playground at SJSC…
What does it look like in action?
Our playground caters to the 16 play types ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage in play that suits their interests, needs, and developmental stage.
Having opportunities to explore all play types allows children to:
Develop a broad range of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills
Build confidence, creativity, and resilience through varied experiences
Express themselves freely and safely in ways that reflect their identity and culture
Form inclusive friendships and learn to collaborate across differences
Our playground is thoughtfully designed with varied zones that support these play types, including:
Gardening and woodwork for nurturing and problem solving play
Sand pit, mud kitchen, and water play for sensory exploration
Chill-out zones for quiet reflection, emotional regulation, and socialising
Fancy dress and performance areas for imaginative and expressive play
Climbing areas and sports zones for physical challenge and teamwork
Loose parts play and crafting for creativity and problem-solving
Board games for social interaction and strategic thinking
…and much more!
By offering a rich and inclusive play environment, we celebrate every child’s uniqueness and ensure that play is a joyful, meaningful, and empowering part of their school experience.
Children leading the way
It is important that children learn to work as part of a community on the playground and have a sense of autonomy over their play. Children at SJSC are therefore heavily involved in deciding how we use the space, the types of resources that are needed, and the rules of how we play together. We use a CINI approach in our regular Play Collective Worships:
Celebrate - photos, videos and shout outs of fantastic play and ideas
Inform - updates and reminders
Negotiate - discussions and agreements around new equipment, the use of areas of the playground
Innovate - new ideas
To find more about our approach to play read our Play Policy here.
