'Anyone can play' - raising attainment through active play, health & wellbeing

Published: 15 September 2016

Recently published research has identified the invaluable link between learning through play and raising attainment and achievement in the classroom.

When delivered correctly, active play can:

•    Reduce sedentary behaviour
•    Improve skills, confidence and motivation for physical activity
•    Improves fundamental movement skills and physical literacy
•    Children are more willing to participate and try new things
•    Improves attention in class
•    Increase progression into other sport or clubs

And a number of Glasgow's primary schools - as part of the city's Improvement Challenge - are now working in partnership with Inspiring Scotland and third sector organisations PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) and The Jeely Piece Club to roll out a tried and tested model - Go2Play Active Play Programme - to help towards raising attainment and achievement in some of Glasgow's most deprived areas.

Over the next year, play workers will work alongside teachers and school pupils in 30 primary schools across the city developing a games pack tailored specifically for their school community.

Celia Tennant, CEO of Inspiring Scotland - the organisation behind the development of the active play programme through the Go2Play fund said today: "We have been developing new approaches in the play sector through the Go2Play fund since 2009.  

"Active play is a tried and tested model that helps both physical and academic attainment in children and has been developed through our close working relationship with our charity partners PEEK and Jeely Piece and Strathclyde University.

"We are delighted that Glasgow City Council Education Department has commissioned this programme throughout the city for the Improvement Challenge.

"We can't wait to see the results."

Pupil Champions

Staff training for teachers and P5 'play champs' are an important stand of the project in a whole school approach to Scotland's attainment challenge.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning is really excited about the project and said today at Avenue End Primary School: "I am passionate about doing all that we can to improve the life chances of each and every one of Glasgow's children.

"The research about play having a positive impact on raising attainment is very encouraging and active play will be firmly embedded in Glasgow's Improvement Challenge over the next few years.

"The Glasgow Active Play programme is about early intervention - changing the mind-sets of parents and children early leads to greater physical activity later in life, going outdoors more and leading a healthier life - all through play.

"Anyone can play!"

More information

• For more information on Inspiring Scotland please visit here
• A copy of the Inspiring Scotland 2016 evaluation report mentioned in the media release can be accessed here
• More information on Jeely Piece club here
• More information on PEEK here