Play, Break and Lunchtimes

The Raising the Nation Play Commission and Motional share a vision of schools as emotionally supportive environments where play is not just recreation, but a foundation for emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

This report also reveals how, despite the immense benefits of breaktimes for children’s development and learning, play time has been squeezed out of the school day over a 25-year period. It analyses four national surveys, carried out in 1995, 2006, 2017, and 2021, shared with the Play Commission, which show a significant decline in the average total breaktime in minutes per day in England’s schools between 1995 and 2021.

It also makes recommendations to the National Government, and to schools.

Thérèse Hoyle has over 25 years’ experience teaching in mainstream, special and higher education and has worked as an education consultant, coach, wellbeing adviser and trainer with over 495 schools and organisations. She is recognised as the UK’s leading training provider of playtime and lunchtime programmes with her 'How to Be a Lunchtime Supervisor Superhero' workshop and 'Positive Playtime' Masterclasses.

101 Playground Games is a collection of active and engaging school playground games that will encourage active learning and social development among children at playtime.

The school playground can play a crucial role in developing all aspects of children’s behaviour and interpersonal learning, and yet there is a growing awareness that children today do not play in the same sociable ways as previous generations. Encouraging children to play games can be hugely beneficial not only for their physical health but also for their social, and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health.

This brilliant resource includes a practical toolkit of photocopiable and downloadable materials along with clear instructions for adults on organising various game types.

Ideal for teachers, lunchtime supervisors, breakfast and after-school club leaders, as well as group leaders for organisations such as scouts or guides to promote lively and enjoyable games, this book is particularly suited to children aged 5–11 years but can easily be adapted for older children. 101 Playground Games is a book that will make any playtime a richer experience for all.

Picture this, you are a busy classroom teacher, it's almost lunchtime on a Tuesday and it has started to pour with torrential rain.

The aim of this book is to make sure you are prepared and that you have a wealth of ideas up your sleeve. Through intensive research, the author gathered feedback from teachers, children, lunchtime supervisors, parents and classroom assistants and discovered that you wanted a book that is inspiring, user friendly, and packed with activities, games and ideas that are easy to implement.

Thérèse Hoyle has over 25 years’ experience teaching in mainstream, special and higher education and has worked as an education consultant, coach, wellbeing adviser and trainer with over 495 schools and organisations. She is recognised as the UK’s leading training provider of playtime and lunchtime programmes with her 'How to Be a Lunchtime Supervisor Superhero' workshop and 'Positive Playtime' Masterclasses.