LEVEL 2 NCFE AWARD
Playwork in Schools
Elevate your school’s lunchtime play by upskilling your supervisors with the essential playwork skills that make playtimes run smoothly.
What the 6-week course covers
An interactive and inspiring course covering core playwork skills, ideal for anyone working in a school or childcare setting.
- Introduction to playwork
- Playwork Principles
- The play cycle
- Loose parts: theory and practice
- Managing risk in play provision
- Developing play spaces and risk-benefit analysis
- Intervention styles
- The playwork curriculum
- Reflective practice
- Barriers to play in school
- Equal access to play in schools
At a glance
IDEALLY SUITED TO
Primary school play teams, lunchtime supervisors, play coordinators and after-school club coordinators
HOW LONG IT LASTS
Across 1 term: 6 weeks × 2 hours (12 hours of in-person training)
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 6, maximum 16
VENUE AND TIME
School-based, across the North East. Morning or afternoon cohorts available
BOOKINGS
Schools can sign up individual staff members or a whole group
Why it matters
School timetables are packed, so this practical, accredited 12-hour qualification is designed to fit around your school day. It turns lunchtime supervision into a recognised, professional role.
Your team will learn the core playwork tools: dynamic risk-benefit assessment, inclusive play, managing loose parts and understanding the play cycle. With these skills they can create a richer, safer and more independent play environment.
The result: fewer behaviour disputes after playtime, more teaching time back in the classroom, and staff who will know how to create an inclusive play environment. Ideal for extending playwork knowledge in OPAL schools and for schools taking their first step in improving playtimes.
Developing playwork skills in your school is as essential to children’s play as water is to a growing garden.
Loose Parts Immersive Play Days & Loose Parts Recycle and Play Training
Hands-on, playful sessions across the North East.
Light up the brain with a day full of fun, using scrap materials and junk!
Immersive Play Days
A fun way for staff and children to work together, using loose parts as a medium for playful connection.
- Team building challenges with scrap and junk materials
- Option to incorporate STEM or link to your current curriculum topic
Impact for children
- Learning through hands-on play
- Problem solving, creativity and innovation
- Resilience and perseverance
- Negotiation and teamwork
- Engineers and scientists at work
Impact for staff
- An introduction to loose parts play: how to facilitate and engage in playwork practice
- Ideas for ongoing work with children at playtime and in the classroom
- Time out of the classroom to play, reflect, plan, be inspired and innovate learning
At a glance
WHO TAKES PART
Play days: children and staff Recycle and Play Training: adults only
IDEALLY SUITED TO
Lunchtime supervisors, school staff and INSET days
VENUE AND TIME
On your school site. Half-day and fullday sessions available
GROUP SIZE
Suitable for class sizes of up to 30 children (must be supported by 3 adults). 4 class sessions can be delivered in one full-day booking
LOOSE PARTS
We can use your own loose parts and/or bring our own.
Loose Parts Recycle and Play Training
For adults: understand how to support children at playtime.
Covers:
- Playwork skills
- Ideas for playtime using loose parts
- Connecting with children
- Behaviour as communication
- Intervention styles
- The theory of loose parts and the importance of intent
A great introduction for schools wishing to enhance their playtime provision, or to further enhance an OPAL school site.