Rethinking the role of playtime
Play is one of the most powerful drivers of children’s development. It shapes social skills, wellbeing, resilience and learning.
Twenty per cent of primary school time is playtime. Despite this, most schools have no formal strategy for play. Playtime is left to chance, shaped by tradition, available resources and staff confidence. The result? Boredom, playground disputes and missed opportunities for joy and growth.
This is where a school playtime consultancy can make a transformative difference. By working with experienced consultants, schools can gain the vision, strategy and practical support they need to make playtime a key part of the school day , rather than a source of stress.
What is a school playtime consultancy?
A school playtime consultancy is a professional service designed to help schools improve the quality of their children’s play experiences. Consultants bring together expertise in education, playwork and risk management to offer a structured way to evaluate and transform play.
Unlike a playground equipment provider or a one-off training session, a consultancy looks at the bigger picture. It considers culture, policy, staff confidence and long-term sustainability, alongside a transformation of school grounds.
The goal is simple: to ensure that every child in a school has daily access to rich, creative, and active play opportunities that support their overall wellbeing and development.
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What does a playtime consultant actually do?
When schools engage with a school playtime consultancy, they can expect support across several key areas:
1. Auditing current practice
Consultants begin by observing playtimes and reviewing school culture. This includes analysing the playground environment, existing rules, staff involvement and children’s behaviour. By identifying both strengths and challenges, the consultancy provides a clear picture of where change is needed.
2. developing a strategic play policy
One of the most valuable outcomes of consultancy is the creation of a whole-school play policy. This document sets out agreed values, principles and expectations for play. It helps schools align their approach with their broader educational vision, ensuring consistency and long-term commitment.
3. Training and mentoring staff
A consultancy does not simply tell schools what to do. It builds staff knowledge and confidence. Training for teachers, lunchtime supervisors and leadership teams covers areas such as:
- The value of play in child development
- Balancing risk and safety
- Supporting inclusive and creative play
By mentoring staff over time, consultants ensure that changes are understood, embedded and sustained.
4. Supporting risk management
Concerns about accidents often hold schools back from improving play. A playtime consultancy provides clear frameworks and risk-benefit assessments aligned with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and International Standards Organisation (ISO) guidance. This helps schools adopt adventurous, challenging play while still meeting their duty of care.
5. Designing an action plan
Every consultancy works with the school to create a realistic action plan, tailored to its values, resources and priorities. This ensures that improvements are practical, achievable and measurable.
6. Recognising and celebrating progress
Finally, consultancies often provide award systems or accreditation that recognise a school’s progress. These awards motivate staff, celebrate achievements and set new goals for continued development.
Why schools choose a playtime consultancy
There are several common reasons why schools seek professional support for playtime:
- Behaviour concerns: frequent disputes, poor behaviour, or accidents at playtime
- Boredom and disengagement: children complaining they have “nothing to do” outside
- Staff confidence: supervisors feeling unsure about how to support and facilitate play
- Inclusivity: children with additional needs or different backgrounds struggling to join in
- Reputation and parental pressure: parents raising concerns about safety or lack of provision
- Vision for excellence: headteachers and governors wanting to raise standards in every aspect of school life
In each of these cases, a consultancy brings expert insight, fresh ideas and proven strategies that schools cannot easily find on their own.
The benefits of working with a playtime consultant
Schools that invest in a school playtime consultancy consistently report wide-ranging benefits:
- Calmer classrooms: with fewer disputes at playtime, teachers regain up to 30 hours of teaching time per year
- Improved behaviour: schools often see up to 80% reductions in the use of behaviour policies related to play
- Greater activity levels: children become more active, physically confident, and engaged
- Better staff morale: supervisors and teachers feel more equipped and positive about playtime
- Stronger school culture: play becomes a valued part of education, not just an afterthought
- Happier children: most importantly, children are more excited, creative, and fulfilled at school
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Do all schools need a playtime consultancy?
Not every school will feel it has major problems with playtime. However, all schools can benefit from a professional review. Even schools with enthusiastic play leaders or new playgrounds might find that:
- Children still gravitate to the same small areas, leaving large areas of school grounds unused
- Rules restrict creativity, with many activities banned unnecessarily
- Accidents or complaints persist despite good intentions
- Staff remain uncertain about their role in play
- Play is not truly inclusive for children of all abilities
A consultancy helps schools uncover blind spots and make sure that their approach to play is consistent, evidence-based, and sustainable.
Whole-school change: beyond equipment
One of the most common misconceptions about improving play is that it requires expensive new playgrounds or equipment. While investment in school grounds can be valuable, improving the physical space is not the whole solution. Without cultural change, even the best play spaces will fail to deliver.
A school playtime consultancy ensures that improvements are not dependent on budgets alone. By focusing on culture, values, and staff training, schools can achieve remarkable results using low cost resources and the space they already have.
The emphasis is always on making play richer, more inclusive, and more joyful, not just more expensive.
Case for leadership commitment
For a consultancy to succeed, leadership commitment is vital. Headteachers and governors must see play as a priority, not a side issue. This means dedicating time for working groups, engaging in training and embedding play into school development plans.
When leadership is fully on board, the transformation is dramatic. Schools move from seeing play as a challenge to celebrating it as one of their greatest strengths.
The wider context: a national movement
The importance of play is well-documented and gaining recognition at national and international levels. Recent reports have recommended that every school should have a strategic plan for play and a designated leader responsible for it. This reflects a growing consensus: play is not optional, but essential.
By engaging with a school playtime consultancy, schools are joining a broader movement to re-establish play as a core part of education. They also gain access to networks of other schools, shared resources, and ongoing support that extends beyond the consultancy itself.
How to know if your school is ready
If your school is considering consultancy, ask these questions:
- Are playtimes currently calm, inclusive, and joyful for all children?
- Do staff feel confident in their roles at playtime?
- Is play seen as part of your strategic vision for education?
- Do children have access to creative, active, and challenging play opportunities every day?
If the answer to any of these is “no” or “not sure,” then a school playtime consultancy may be exactly what your school needs.
Conclusion: making playtime count
Playtime is far more than a break in the school day. It is a vital part of education, one that deserves the same care and attention as any subject. A school playtime consultancy provides the expertise, structure, and inspiration schools need to unlock the full potential of play.
By investing in play, schools invest in happier children, calmer classrooms, more confident staff, and stronger school communities. Most of all, they invest in giving every child the joyful, enriching childhood they deserve.
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