Ayresome Primary School in Middlesbrough has been awarded the Platinum Award from Outdoor Play and Learning, an achievement that places the school in the top 1% of primary schools in the country for the quality of its play provision.
The school, which is part of the Ad Astra Academy Trust, spent 18 months developing its play areas through a collaborative team effort. The new facilities now include den building areas, mud kitchens, swings, and a brand-new garden space designed to provide children with a variety of movement opportunities.
Staff at the school have noted a positive change in the classroom since the new play facilities were introduced. According to school leadership, children are now more settled, focused, and ready to learn when they return from their breaks. The initiative has also helped improve student behaviour while encouraging the development of resilience, creativity, and social skills.
To mark the achievement, the school will receive a plaque and certificate from the organisation. The national programme has been implemented in over 2,000 schools across the United Kingdom to improve the quality of play for pupils.
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