Back to School Blues

“Let us play more and we’ll learn better,” say kids in new research

As summer holidays come to an end this week, Play England is calling on schools to protect play-time and make more time for children to play during the school day.

New research from Play England finds that time to play at school is seen by both children and their parents as very important if they are to get the most out of education. 90 per cent of parents and 79 per cent of children agree that having time to play at school helps children to concentrate in lessons. The report also found that 88 per cent of parents and 80 per cent of children think that children are better behaved in lessons if they are allowed to play at break time, and this figure rises to 99 per cent for parents of 5-6 year olds. 94 per cent of parents assert that it is important to allocate time for play during school hours.

73 per cent of children interviewed by ICM, for Play England, say that school is the main chance they have to play with their friends. 55 per cent of children report that they sometimes rush their lunch at school so they have time to play and 84 per cent of parents say they are against school break times being shortened.

Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: “The opportunity for children to play at school is all too easily regarded as a luxury.

But children, as well as their parents, are telling us how crucial it is. We know that playing is an essential part of enjoying childhood and that it contributes hugely to children’s informal learning and development. Families are now telling us that it is important in helping children to get the most from their formal learning too”.

Play England, part of NCB, convenes the Play in Schools group which aims to improve play provision within schools, childcare, extended services and in children’s centres.

The group consists of national and regional agencies and local authority representatives who all have an interest in improving play provision in those settings.

Play England’s recommendations for play provision in schools are published in “Play in schools and integrated settings:

A position statement”. Play England has also produced a short film that explores how high-quality play facilities in primary schools can help to improve children’s academic performance and enjoyment of school.