PLA Play Pedagogy Programme 2022/23

Project Aims

Staff from across North Ayrshire Council work streams, including Educational Psychologists, Early Years and the Professional Learning Academy collaborated to produce a programme of support for schools developing play pedagogy in primary 1. A total of 16 schools within the authority have joined the project and several chose to share their journeys through case studies detailed below.

Overview

The CLPL programme consisted of 7 training sessions with a mix of networking visits and drop in sessions to provide further support. As well as a support surgery session with colleagues from Education Scotland, Education Psychology, Early Years and NAC Play Pedagogy Development Team. Each session included time for practitioners to network with others in different schools and reflection time to allow staff to plan with their colleagues while at the session, using the development team for support if needed.

Data collection and analysis

Impact was measured using both Leuven scale data and case studies. Each case study had a different focus. This resulted in a wide range of data showing impact on pupil engagement and wellbeing as well as development of curricular areas through play pedagogy.

Impact and sustainability

The combination of training, networking, case studies and collaborative working has resulted in far reaching impact across all 16 schools involved. All schools have now embedded playful approaches across P1 and are looking to move forward with the same approach in P2 and beyond. Sustainability has been built into the programme as schools were encouraged to take a whole school approach, involving management teams and staff at all stages.