'Pupils are hard-working, co-operative and kind to one another. They behave very well. Pupils play well together at social times.' (Ofsted 2025)

Play is fundamental to a child’s health, happiness, development and well being. Research has shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing. This led our school to reflect upon how playtimes could be improved. We therefore started our journey to improve this a few years ago. We recognise the enormous benefits play has on a child’s life and ensure that children at St Paul's CE Primary School have a wide variety of opportunities for a fun and active playtime and lunchtime each day. 

We have developed our approach and worked with our schools PTA and local businesses to improve our play provision. Our school grounds consist of two traditional play yards: one for Early Years and another for Key stage 1 and 2. Previously some of these spaces have been underused, however through our developemnt of outdoor playing and learning our school site is being transformed to offer the highest quality play experiences whatever the weather. 

The school yards have been divided into four zones on each yard.  Children have the freedom to explore and play in their own imaginative ways, experimenting, problem solving and having fun using a wide range of available resources which are very different in each zone. 

Our outdoor areas are continually being developed to offer an even wider range of play opportunities. The children love playing in all the different areas including den building, bike and scooter riding, small world, construction, climbing and performing on stage. They are having fun and are developing life skills of team work, problem solving, communication, resilience whilst also developing their creativity and imagination. 

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) promotes risky play!

It is always a slight worry to parents and to staff who work with children when they are engaged in what could be described as ‘risky play’. We are programmed to try and stop anything which poses any kind of risk. Recent research has shown that this is not preparing our children to make their own risk assessments and overcome problems and challenges. The HSE agrees with this, stating that play which carries some risk is not only allowed but should be actively encouraged. Children, by law, have the right to play.

Below is a link to the HSE report on why risky play should happen in schools:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/assets/docs/childrens-play-july-2012.pdf