OUTDOOR play was the focus as representatives from schools throughout the country looked to adopt the method into their teaching.

Blue Coat Primary in Wotton played host to the event, the school is an industry leader for its use of play-work to increase student involvement, improve social skills and boost mental health.

The school has adopted this approach throughout its teaching for the last two-and-a-half years, its play coordinator Rachel Murray recently won a national award for her work as an inspiring educator outside of the classroom.

She said: “Playtimes at Blue Coat have been transformed, leading to happier, more active and more engaged pupils.

“We hope to inspire other schools to consider play-work for their pupils and share some of our positive experiences.”

Delegates from 40 schools visited to see how Blue Coat was changing lunchtimes to develop further learning through play, as well as take a look at their playground equipment.

The event included presentations from the head teacher of Slimbridge Primary school, the assistant head at Kender Primary School in London, Blue Coat’s head teacher Mark Ryan, play coordinator Rachel Murray, and staff from Ridge Junior in Yate and Oldfield Park in Bath.

Blue Coat were awarded a national play-work award in 2016 and are platinum level Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) school.

The event on Thursday, March 23 was co-hosted by Michael Follett, CEO of OPAL.

Their playground features a huge ‘mud kitchen’, 50-tonne ‘play beach’ sandpit, a reflection garden, mini orchard and a wildflower meadow area.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive with high praise for the children’s creativity, high activity levels and positive behaviours whilst at play.

The school was recently awarded £5,000 via the Tesco Bags of Help fund which it will use to build a de-engineering construction zone to its field in the summer.