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Playful Schools Project (Online)
Play is a vital approach to learning that supports children’s development across all primary years. The Playful Schools Programme is designed to help schools embed curriculum-linked play progressively and practically from EYFS through to Year 6.
This programme is suitable for school and academy leaders who are aiming to enhance and extend play practices beyond EYFS across the whole school, offering a structured, evidence-informed approach that balances curriculum demands with the benefits of play. It provides practical guidance and resources to enable staff at all levels to champion playful learning and embed it sustainably within their school culture.
Programme Features:
Resource pack: Includes a progressive play framework spanning EYFS to Year 6, planning templates, classroom tools, and evidence-based materials to support practitioners.
Three online training sessions 3.30-5pm
30/9/25 – The Power of Play – the role of play in child development and learning
4/11/25 – Playful Curriculum Design – supporting curriculum design to embed play
27/1/26 Playful Outdoor Learning – Practical strategies for outdoor play
Individual session (Spring term)
A collaborative coaching and mentoring session depending on needs to identify priorities, set achievable goals, and develop a tailored action plan for implementing play-based approaches across the school. Schools to organise their own date and time with course facilitator.
Drop in Session 3.30-4.30pm 28/4/26
A collaborative group drop in session to review progress, address challenges, and provide ongoing support.
Final reflection and Strategic Planning 1-3.30pm 3/7/26
An opportunity to reflect on impact, share successes, and plan sustainable play practices moving forward.
Facilitator
The sessions will be facilitated by Jo Gray who will draw upon her wealth of experience and knowledge of supporting schools and academies in this area, along with her own experience from the classroom. Jo is passionate about the power of play, the importance of inclusion, and the magic of skills for life-long learning. She completed her MA Educational Leadership focusing on the decision’s that leaders take in continuing play based learning beyond EYFS, she has written and delivered training about play based learning to many (whoever will stand still for long enough) including the Chartered College of Teaching.
Our Playful Schools Project encourages you to embrace the journey towards a transformative educational approach where play is not just encouraged—it’s recognised as essential.
What else?
Included in the training is a variety of useful resources to guide you on a journey, optional tasks which are designed to support you in your journey of creating a playful school. In addition to what is included in the programme is an option to attend an online drop in session where you can ask the questions pertinent to your journey and an individual school session to work on the needs of the individual school. There is a final session to help action planning going forward, and showcase where you are on your journey. There is the opportunity to join a group where you can ask questions at any time during your journey.
If required, delegates can receive a certificate for completing the project.
Finally, as part of project there is the opportunity to purchase development days with our consultants to provide advice and support.
Discounted places available for multiple bookings – please contact jo.gray@oneeducation.co.uk
Who is it for?
Trust Leaders, Executive Headteachers, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers, SLT,
Age phase
EYFS and Primary
