Play in Educational Settings Consultation
Paper
Appendix 2
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A whole school approach and play policies
A play policy aims to establish the values, understandings,
principles, objectives and criteria that will underpin and inform
action.
A play policy process involves representatives from, in
the first instance, adult members of the school community - for
example, breaktime assistants, caretakers, classroom assistants,
teachers, parents, Governors - examining the significant issues
involved in developing a positive approach to play within a school.
These issues fall into two main categories and can be contentious:
- the different meanings that attach to the term 'play', and
how the different meanings affect the nature of the play opportunities
offered to children
- non-play issues that have an impact on the quality of play opportunities,
for example, schools' concerns about the potential for negligence
claims and parental complaints in response to children's injuries
sustained at school.
A whole school approach is one that engages with representatives
of the school community and is designed to assist the school develop
an informed, value-based consensus about the role of play within
school, and how it might be supported and resourced.
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