‘Play is essential for children's well-being and development. When planning and providing play opportunities, the aim is not to eliminate risk but to balance risks and benefits. No child will learn about risk if they are wrapped in cotton wool’ (Health and Safety Executive, 2012)
Children have rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989). Those rights are concerned with freedom and protection to access and do the things that make life worth living. Article 31 of the UN Convention acknowledges that all children have a right to play.
At Gillamoor CE Primary School we acknowledge that children spend a period of the school day outside playing, this is not normally planned for or thought about like the curriculum. OPAL changes that, we have a Play Policy ensuring that there are a range of open-ended resources available for all children to use. Play is powerful. It is a time to think creatively, problem solve, work as part of a team and so much more.
