News Clippings Archive
Please note that some older links may suddenly disappear! As these are all external
links we have no control over lost links. To return to the current clippings page
please click here.
2007
Broken fingers and cut faces bring £2 million payout to pupils
Education authorities are launching a crackdown on injury claims over fears of a burgeoning compensation culture in school playgrounds.
The move comes as new figures reveal that children injured at English schools received an estimated £2 million in compensation last year.
Read more:
The Times Online July 2007
Practical approach to playtime proves the power of play
A report published this week asserts that schools need to
focus on helping children to play at playtimes if they want increased
educational achievement, a decrease in exclusions and happier children.
Read more:
Skills Active June 2007
Modern life has damaging impact on primary school children's
ability to play
A survey by the charity, Save the Children, claims that modern life has a damaging impact on children,
leading to depression, behavioural problems and developmental conditions such as autism and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. The charity says that there has been a decline in children's ability to play and make
friends due to an increased use of games consoles, mp3 players and mobile phones. According to the charity, a
rise in solitary activities has coincided with a decline in traditional playground pastimes, such as hopscotch,
tag and football.
Read more:
The Telegraph May 2007
Save the Children May 2007
No time for play at new flagship school
The most expensive state school in Britain will have no playground. The Cambridgeshire
authorities in charge of the new £46.4m Thomas Deacon city academy in Peterborough believe a
lack of outside space will avoid the danger of 'uncontrollable' groups of children running
around at break time.
Read more:
The Observer May 2007
The Telegraph May 2007
Teachers concern over loss of play time at school
Five-year-olds are being denied the chance to play with sand and water trays
in primary schools because they are under too much pressure to prepare for national tests,
the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) heard at their conference.
Read more:
The Sunday Times May 2007
Guardian Educational April 2007
School ban on kiss chase and tag
Traditional playground games like kiss chase and tag have been banned at a primary school
because staff said playtime was becoming too rough.
Read more:
BBC News February 2007
Time to play: National Union of Teachers Play Policy
Recent developments in Wales and Scotland have shown that the time is right for a fundamental
review of National Curriculum and assessment arrangements and that playbased approaches to
teaching and learning should form an essential part of that review.
Read more:
NUT Play Policy February 2007
What do you do at playtime?
A school in Suffolk has splashed out on loads of fun gear to keep kids amused at playtimes.The lucky pupils now
have the chance to bounce on space hoppers or practise circus skills about the playground. The BBC CBBC's Newsround wondered - what
do you do at playtime? Does your school provide any sports stuff to keep you amused - or maybe you just like playing
chase? It might be that you like imaginary games or you could be happiest chatting to your mates.
Read what the children had to say:
BBC Newsround January 2007
2005
The importance of playtime for school children
Playing freely, making their own choices and having fun must be the primary aim of
play/break-times for school children. All children need time and space to play during the
school day. Playing allows children a break in the rigid structure of the school day, gives them a
chance to enjoy themselves, run around, talk with their friends, try new ideas, develop relationships and
expend pent up energy.
Read more:
Parliamentary Select Committee on Education and Skills Written Evidence February 2005
2003
Pupils need far more play time
Pre-school and primary school children are missing out on vital playtime in the classroom,
warns Professor Pat Broadhead of Northumbria University.
Read more:
BBC News December 2003
2000
Schools banning time-honoured playtime pastimes
Schools are banning time-honoured playtime pastimes such as conkers because
headteachers are afraid of being sued by parents in the event of an accident.
A survey by Keele University researcher Dr Sarah Thomson shows some schools have
banned conkers, while others have banned football on the grounds that it is anti-social and yet
another has banned skipping after some girls fell over! "It seemed that many of the children's
attempts to play were extinguished" said Dr Sarah Thomson.
Read more:
BBC Educational December 2000
|
