If your first thought is “hard work”, you’re not alone.
Break time is seen as needing to be short and tightly managed by many schools as a result of poor behaviour and the pressure to cover an ever-expanding curriculum and raise attainment.
The purpose of break time can be unclear; there’s a lack of clarity around how it can support school aims and children’s development.
A lot of schools lack the resources to run activities at break, and even if the equipment is there, the lack of training for staff means supervising is done at a distance.
The absence of things to do means children can get bored and they’re left without an effective outlet for their bounds of energy. The result? Behaviour issues, fall-outs, incidents and injuries.
And so, lunch breaks are being made shorter and afternoon breaks seem to be disappearing.
But quality break times can be key to the physical, social, cognitive, personal and emotional development of children.
For some, the school day provides their only opportunity to be active, and break time may be one of the few chances they have for face-to-face peer interaction.
So, how can you transform your school’s break and lunchtime?
Matthew Whittington, Playground Activator National Tutor at Aspire Active Education, is running a workshop at this year’s conference to answer exactly that.
Take part in Matt’s workshop to learn how to set up and run safe and inclusive physical activities during lunchtime and playtime.
Develop your skills and gain actionable ideas to create a playground that achieves its potential and provides children with an enriching environment.
Head over here to find out more about this year’s conference.
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As a dance specialist with 20 years of experience working in primary schools and within the community, Steph understands the time pressures that come...
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