Outdoor Play at St Marys

Our vision for outdoor play allows children to be outside to play all year round as much as possible. At St Mary's we recognise that play is about learning and is such an important part of school life. The children develop their language, learn how to share, improve skills and develop friendships. 

Our aim is for children to play outside more often, have access to most of the school grounds all year round and to provide children with a variety of loose parts with which they can direct their own play.

Social Emotional Learning seems to be an area children now need to develop since the lockdowns. SEL can be broken down into:

• Self-Awareness.
• Self-Management.
• Social Awareness.
• Relationship Skills.
• Responsible Decision-Making.

Playing outdoors helps children to develop these skills, through educated risk taking, working together, working with each other,  and keeping themselves and others safe.

An example of this is allowing children to climb trees; however, they are taught to assess the risks. We discuss what is a reasonable height (so if there is a fall the injury is minor), the size of the branches and to have an adult near by and never do this alone.

So, what does Outdoor Play look like at St Mary’s?

Our new Mud Kitchen!

Thank you for your kind donations and building skills