Thérèse Hoyle

Founder of Positive Playtimes, UK

Workshop Information:

Discover the transformative role of play in children's lives. 

This engaging presentation will explore the barriers to children’s play and highlight how play fosters well-being, creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.

Join us to explore innovative play practices and celebrate the joy and importance of play in your school setting.

Session Outcomes:

Understand the Essential Role of Play

Gain insight into why play is fundamental to children’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical development, and how it supports wellbeing and learning across all age groups.

Identify Key Barriers to Play

Explore the current challenges limiting children’s opportunities to play—both in and out of school—and reflect on how these barriers can be addressed in your setting.

Recognise the Impact of Positive Play Environments

Learn how inclusive, engaging and well-structured play environments promote creativity, cooperation, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Discover Practical Strategies to Champion Play

Take away a range of innovative, evidence-informed approaches and playful ideas that can be embedded in daily practice to enhance children’s play experiences.

Feel Inspired to Lead a Play-Positive Culture

Leave feeling energised and equipped to advocate for the power of play within your school or organisation—and to inspire others to do the same.

Biography:

Thérèse Hoyle Bestselling Author | Award-Winning Educator | Founder of the Positive Playtime Programme

Thérèse Hoyle is a bestselling author, award-winning educator, international speaker, and executive coach with a passion for creating positive, harmonious school cultures. With over 25 years of experience in education, she has supported more than 1,500 schools, organisations, and local authorities worldwide impacting the wellbeing, engagement, and behaviour of over 37,000 individuals. As the founder of the Positive Playtime Programme, Thérèse has pioneered a whole-school approach to play and lunchtime wellbeing, helping schools eliminate serious behaviour challenges and significantly improve pupil relationships, engagement, and emotional health. Her innovative work empowers schools to transform the quality of playtimes through inclusive games, staff training, leadership development, and practical wellbeing strategies.

Her books include 101 Playground Games,101 Wet Playtime Games and Activities and The Big Book of Whole School Wellbeing.