Play

At Heycroft Primary School, we believe high‑quality play is essential to children’s happiness, wellbeing and success at school. Through our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) approach, we recognise that playtime makes up around 20% of the school week — equivalent to approximately 1.4 years of a child’s primary education — and we treat this time with the same care and purpose as learning in the classroom.

Our play provision offers a wide range of inclusive, stimulating environments that support confidence, creativity, resilience and positive relationships. Children are encouraged to explore, imagine, collaborate and develop independence, helping them return to lessons settled, motivated and ready to learn.

We take a balanced approach to safety, understanding that appropriate challenge and risk are an important part of learning. With adults supporting rather than directing play, children learn to assess risk, make responsible choices and grow in confidence — reflecting our school values of being Ready, Respectful, Responsible and cReative.

Please find our full policy on play at Heycroft below.
Play Policy
We are always adding new things to play and the children have access to our field is all year round.