Play

What is the intent of play in our school?

Play at Cranfield Church of England Academy seeks to ensure children’s creativity, enthusiasm, physical and mental well-being is enhanced through high-quality, inclusive play-based environments. 

How is play implemented in our school?

In addition to our Physical Education lessons we encourage all children to participate actively in engaging, creative and collaborative play using fixed equipment, traditional play resources and junk yard equipment.

Through the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme we seek to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare through quality play. Play contributes to children’s physical and emotional health, well-being and enjoyment of school and through taking part in the OPAL programme we seek to encourage active learning across the school. To further support and encourage active learning across the school day, children take part in ‘Terrific Ten’ with their class to allow brain breaks and to be physically active.

To further support and encourage active learning across the school day, a ‘Fit Fifteen’ held at the end of each lunchtime encourages all children to walk, jog or run their way around the playground and field at each of our school sites. This offers a great opportunity for the older children to collaborate with and encourage the younger children to be physically active.

In addition, selected Year Four children attend training to develop and build upon their skills to create fun games for all children to play, as our ‘Play Leaders’.

Support staff attend training to build on ideas and support their knowledge of play based games to nurture and encourage all children at playtimes and lunchtimes to be active and imaginative in a variety of play based games.